Red tide phenomenon

1. RED TIDE PHENOMENON

2. RED TIDE is caused by a rapid population growth of microscopic plankton. These microscopic plankton release toxins that have severe affects on marine life and humans. The toxins are environmental chemicals that can interfere with metabolism, nerve conduction, and the central nervous system (From Monsoons to Microbes 1999). The blooms mainly take place in coastal, warm waters.

3. Factors that promote red tide occurrences: Warm Temperatures High Nutrient Content Low Salinity Calm Seas Rain followed by sunny weather   As the plankton multiply and grow, they cause a discoloration in the water near the shoreline (Red Tide 2001). Often it turns a reddish-brown colour , hence the name red tide . There have been occurrences where the water has turned a yellow, brown, or even a purple shade.

4. Scientist has summarized the development of Red Tide into four stages . The first stage is where the plankton is introduced into the area. Next is the growth stage where the population begins to multiply rapidly over a few weeks time span. As they reach the peak of growth they enter into stage three, maintenance. Here is where the bloom can either continue to live offshore or can be moved inshore by tides or strong winds. If the bloom moves closer to shore, nutrients are in greater abundance, which can cause the bloom to grow even larger. Finally, the bloom will eventually dissipate, ending the cycle (Red Tide 2001).

5. One of the newest developments in Florida. Red Tide research has been the connection between red tide and the dust storms from Africa. Scientists believe that the dust clouds that travel from the Saharan desert could be triggering these algae blooms. The iron is deposited into the water and then is used by the bacteria called Trichodesmium to fixate nitrogen. Since there is an abundance of nitrogen in the ocean, the water is more susceptible to creating toxic blooms. Organisms involved in Red Tide are not always harmful to the marine life, but unfortunately there is a great number that are. These harmful algal blooms (HABs) have caused death among fish, birds, manatees, and several other vertebrate species. Eating the toxic plankton, eating other organisms already infected with the toxins, or simply by exposure through the water can contaminate organisms. The toxins do not affect filter-feeding shellfish even though the toxins are concentrated in their organs. Other fish, however, are not so lucky and end up being victims to the powerful red tide.

6. Red Tide has affected humans as well. The impact is both medical and economical. The diagnosis of Red Tides physical affects has been narrowed down into FIVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF POISONING: Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP). Symptoms are vomiting, headache, diarrhea , memory loss, seizure, or even coma. You can get this type of poisoning from eating a contaminated clam or mussel. Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP). Symptoms for CFP are skin irritation, temperature reversal, hallucinations, and muscular and joint pain . Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP). Symptoms are chills, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea . Scallops, mussels and short-necked clams cause DSP . Neurotoxin Shellfish Poisoning (NSP). Symptoms for NSP are tingling of limbs, muscle aches, and dizziness. Clams, scallops, mussels, and oysters are all associated with NSP .   Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). Symptoms are rash, fever, numbness of mouth, drowsiness, and vomiting. The earliest record of PSP was in the year of 1793 when a man died and four others were left ill (Saving the Oceans 1992)

7. Red Tide has created a large impact on our oceans and our lives. It is increasingly affecting our marine life and our own health and economic prosperity. Programs have been established to try and reduce the harmful effects of the Red Tide and keep people educated about this phenomenon. The next step in coming closer to solving the mystery is more research. Whatever is causing red tide, and the answer behind stopping it is out there. We just have to keep diving deeper for the truth.