Tue, February 7, 2017 Dives: 1 Bottom Time: 57 minutes Max Depth: 91-100ft/28-30m Avg Viz: 41-50ft/12-15m Water Temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C Weight: 0 Exposure Suit: Fullsuit - 5 (Hood, Gloves, Boots) Tank Type: Twin Steel - 85cf/12L Gas Type: Nitrox Dive Type: Cave Dive Buddy:   Gene Page, Guy Bryant Manatee Springs Chiefland, FL Water Type: Fresh Entry Type: Shore

Tues. Feb. 7, 2017. Today Gene, Guy and I dove from Friedman Sink to Catfish, and then on to Manatee via the syphon. Water levels were high, flow was way low, and visibility ~50 ft. Awesome dive. However...for the past 2 years, each time I dive in Manatee and Catfish, I come home with a horrible cough; respiratory distress for sure.

I’m associating this affliction with the extremely high nitrate and phosphorous levels in this section of the aquifer. The algae in Manatee was very long and thick, while the duckweed in Catfish Hotel was colossal!

I am becoming more and more reluctant to want to dive there, as I’m like the canary in the coalmine. If there is something we need to be attentive to, my body will let the world know, way before anybody else gives it a thought!