Red tide is a common name for a phenomenon known as an algal bloom (large concentrations of

aquatic microorganisms) when it is caused by a few species of dinoflagellates and the bloom takes
on a red or brown color. Red tides are events in which estuarine, marine, or fresh water algae
accumulate rapidly in the water column, resulting in coloration of the surface water. It is usually
found in coastal areas.[1]
These algae, a form of phytoplankton, are single-celled protists, plant-like organisms that can form
dense, visible patches near the water's surface.
Certain species of phytoplankton, dinoflagellates, contain photosynthetic pigments that vary in color
from green to brown to red. When the algae are present in high concentrations, the water appears to
be discolored or murky, varying in color from purple to almost pink, normally being red or green. Not
all algal blooms are dense enough to cause water discoloration, and not all discolored waters
associated with algal blooms are red. Additionally, red tides are not typically associated with tidal
movement of water, hence the preference among scientists to use the term algal bloom.
Some red tides are associated with the production of natural toxins, depletion of dissolved oxygen or
other harmful effects, and are generally described as harmful algal blooms. The most conspicuous
effects of these kinds of red tides are the associated wildlife mortalities of marine and coastal
species of fish, birds, marine mammals, and other organisms.
Causes
The occurrence of red tides in some locations appears to be entirely natural (algal blooms are a
seasonal occurrence resulting from coastal upwelling, a natural result of the movement of certain
ocean currents)[19][20] while in others they appear to be a result of increased nutrient loading from
human activities.[21] The growth of marine phytoplankton is generally limited by the availability of
nitrates and phosphates, which can be abundant in agricultural run-off as well as coastal upwelling
zones. Coastal water pollution produced by humans and systematic increase in sea water
temperature have also been implicated as contributing factors in red tides[citation needed]. Other factors
such as iron-rich dust influx from large desert areas such as the Saharan desert are thought to play
a major role in causing red tides.[22] Some algal blooms on the Pacific coast have also been linked to
occurrences of large-scale climatic oscillations such as El Niño events. While red tides in the Gulf of
Mexico have been occurring since the time of early explorers such as Cabeza de Vaca,[23] it is
unclear what initiates these blooms and how large a role anthropogenic and natural factors play in
their development. It is also debated whether the apparent increase in frequency and severity of
algal blooms in various parts of the world is in fact a real increase or is due to increased observation
effort and advances in species identification methods.[24][25]
While the human contribution to the long-term increase in red tides is apparent, some researchers
propose that climate change is also a factor, with more research still needed to be done in order to
claim it as a definitive causal relationship. Increasing temperature, enhanced surface stratification,
alteration of ocean currents, intensification or weakening of local nutrient upwelling, stimulation
of photosynthesis by elevated CO2, reduced calcification through ocean acidification, and heavy
precipitation and storm events causing changes in land runoff and micronutrient availability may all
produce contradictory species- or even strain-specific responses.[26]In terms of Harmful Algal Blooms
(HABs), we can expect: (i) range expansion of warm-water species at the expense of cold-water
species, which are driven poleward; (ii) species-specific changes in the abundance and seasonal
window of growth of HAB taxa; (iii) earlier timing of peak production of some phytoplankton; and (iv)
secondary effects for marine food webs, notably when individual zooplankton and fish grazers are
differentially impacted by climate change. [26] However, the potential consequences of these changes
for HABs have received relatively little attention and are not well understood. Substantial research is
needed to evaluate the direct and indirect associations between HABs, climate change, ocean
acidification, and human health.[27]

Human health effects[edit]

Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) is caused by the consumption of shellfish contaminated by
brevetoxins which are produced by the dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis. There are often both
gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms of NSP including diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, numbness
or tingling in lips face or extremities, disorientation, and partial paralysis.[29] For public safety, NSP in
shellfish is monitored by the State of Florida. There have been no new deaths attributed to NSP.
Occasional new cases of NSP may occur when people consume unregulated shellfish species,
when shellfish are illegally harvested, or when blooms expand to unmonitored geographic
areas.[29] There have been recent discoveries of Planktivorous finfish that retain the toxins in their
muscles and organs, especially the liver. However, these toxins occur in finfish at much lower
concentrations than shellfish.[30]
The toxins of K. brevis can also become aerosolized by surf, winds, or breaking waves. The
inhalation of aerosolized K. brevis red-tide toxins may result in conjunctival irritation, runny nose,
nonproductive cough, and wheezing.[31] In healthy individuals, there seems to be a rapid reversal of
these symptoms by leaving beach areas or entering an air-conditioned area.[32] However, persons
with severe asthma appear to be more susceptible to K brevis red-tide toxins. It has been shown that
these individuals report a decrease in respiratory function after only 1 hour of exposure to a K brevis
red-tide beach and these symptoms may last for days.[33]