Red Tide in the Gulf Of Mexico
The role of Karenia brevis on Florida's beaches.
Florida beaches are seeing increasing occurrences of red tide blooms causing problems for beach goers and for asthmatics.
There are many harmful algal blooms (HAB) over the world. The term HAB is the proper term for use of these blooms as they are caused by many different plankton organisms; however, the expression red tide is so prevalent to the blooms in the Gulf of Mexico that it will be used here. The red tide in the Gulf of Mexico and up the east coast of Florida to North Carolina is just one of the HABs along the shorelines of the world.
Red tide is a phenomenon caused by a naturally occurring one-celled algal organism, Karenia brevis, reproducing out of control. Under optimal conditions, it has been estimated by scientists that one alga cell can reproduce itself into one million algae organisms in two to three weeks. Some red tide blooms are miles in length along a coastal beach with billions and billions of algal cells. When temperature, salinity, and nutrients are at optimum amounts, K. brevis reproduces at prodigious rates, with each cell producing a minute amount of a neurotoxin. This toxin can become concentrated in filter feeder shellfish, and when eaten can cause neurological damage. If a person is suspected of red tide toxin poisoning, a physician should be contacted immediately as it can be life threatening. Furthermore, some of the toxic molecules are released into the air, and the effect can be extremely debilitating for asthmatics.
The beaches around the Gulf of Mexico are some of the most beautiful in the world. However, in the last few years these red tide blooms, which seem to be increasing in frequency, at times, threaten to make the beaches an impossible place to enjoy. It is interesting that all HAB organisms seem to congregate making it easier to follow the bloom up or down the coast. In the Gulf of Mexico you can get information on the Internet identifying locations of blooms at any certain time from Florida to Texas.
There is ongoing research on all the HABs, but it’s in its infancy and answers are years away. Oddly, the state governments are not considering this phenomenon as seriously as a person might expect. Actually, some of the most fascinating research is being done by students at Venice High School where students are learning to do scientific research by working on Karenia. There has not been enough research as yet, but indications point to the fact that pollution probably is the leading cause of the increase of these blooms. Lora E. Fleming, MD, PhD, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, FL, and Dr. Richard Pierce, Mote Marine Laboratory, Center for Ecotoxicology are two major researchers in the field.
