Red Tide

Prepared by: Jessica R. Gemang

RED TIDES: Causes, Consequences and Control of Algal
Blooms
What are RED TIDES?
 “Red tides” are massive blooms of a single phytoplankton species which change
the colour of the sea (fig. 1a). The term red tide is confusing because the colour
depends on the pigmentation of the species that blooms. It can also be orange (fig.
1b), brown or even bright green.
 In contrast to common seasonal algal blooms, their occurrence is not predictable;
the conditions required for a red tide to appear are not yet fully understood.
Besides, seasonal blooms involve a whole community of algae and not a single
species.

a. b.
Figure 1. Two examples of red tides a) Cape Rodney, New Zealand b) a
bloom of Noctiluca scintillans, La Jolla, California.
Dinoflagellates
 Red tides are caused by a particular group of phytoplankton
called dinoflagellates which seem to prefer warmer and
calmer waters.

 Approximately 200 species are known to cause red tides. The

majority of these species belong to the phylum dinoflagellates.
Dinoflagellates are autotrophic protozoans, i.e. unicellular
algae. They are primary producers at the basis of the marine
food chain. Not all of them are strictly autotrophic as they can
also phagocyte organic matter.

 Dinoflagellates typically have two flagella which are used for

propulsion. Each lies in a groove on the cell surface. The
sulcus trails freely, while the cingulum is wrapped around the
body (Fig 2).
Figure 2. Dinoflagellate Anatomy
 Most dinoflagellates have a cell wall made out of cellulose
plates trapped in intracellular vesicles or alveoli.
Xantophophyll pigments are responsible for their brown to
golden-brown colour.
 When Do They Occur?

The appearance of red tides seems largely unpredictable. The species causing the
blooms are always present at low concentrations and are a fundamental part of the
pelagic ecosystem. Their growth is limited by:
• the availability of light
• the availability of nutrients, namely N, P and Fe
• competition, mainly with diatoms
• predation
When one or more of these factors are modified, a bloom can occur. These blooms
are often part of an annual cycle (for example: spring blooms of phytoplankton in
the north sea as a result of increased availability of light).
In the case of red tides, the most likely explanation is a change in the
concentration of nutrients. Dinoflagellates are usually outcompeted by diatoms.
  Two changes can reverse the situation
and consequently lead to a red tide:
1. An increase in N  growth of the diatom
population  consumption of all the Si 
collapse of the diatom population  blooms
of dinoflagellates
2. Drop of N:P ratio towards the optimum ratio
for the growth of dinoflagellates 
dinoflagellates outcompete the diatoms (fig.
3) Figure 3. Change in N:P
ratio in Tolo Harbour
between 1982 and 1989,
and the occurrence of red
tides during the same
period.
The Effect of Red Tides
Red tides are short lived phenomenon but can have a
considerable impact on the marine ecosystem.
 Red tides can cause oxygen depletion resulting in
massive fish kills (fig. 4)
 The spines and protusions on many dinoflagellates can
obstruct fish gills preventing them from breathing
 Some phytoplankton species (for example Gymnodium
breve) produce toxins which can be fatal to marine
veterbrates
 Toxins can accumulate in molluscs and crustaceans
making them poisonous to humans and other animals
which consume them. Figure 4. Fish kill due to oxygen

depletion, Narrangasett Bay, USA .

Monitoring and Control
Attempts to monitor the occurrence of
red tides include satellite imaging of sea
surface temperature and pigment
concentration (fig. 5).

Research is also ongoing to develop

methods to control or prevent red tides.
Possible solutions include the release of
clay particles and the introduction of new
Figure 5. Concentration of
predators into the sea. chlorophyll a monitored by
satellite.
Thank you for listening…