![]() ![]() Red tides occur naturally off coasts all over the world. The debate over the cause of red tides is controversial. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Ocean Service provides a public conditions report identifying possible respiratory irritation impacts in areas affected by red tides. People with severe or persistent respiratory conditions (such as chronic lung disease or asthma) may experience stronger adverse reactions. Karenia brevis blooms can potentially cause eye and respiratory irritation (coughing, sneezing, tearing, and itching) to beach goers, boaters and coastal residents. Humans can become seriously ill from eating oysters and other shellfish contaminated with red tide toxin. ![]() Red tide is also potentially harmful to human health. The most conspicuous effects of these kind of red tides are the associated wildlife mortalities of marine and coastal species of fish, birds, marine mammals, and other organisms. 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. Additionally, red tides are not typically associated with tidal movement of water, hence the preference among scientists to use the term algal bloom. Not all algal blooms are dense enough to cause water discoloration, and not all discolored waters associated with algal blooms are 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. Certain species of phytoplankton, dinoflagellates, contain photosynthetic pigments that vary in color from green to brown to red. These algae, known as phytoplankton, are single-celled protists, plant-like organisms that can form dense, visible patches near the water’s surface. Red tides are events in which estuarine, marine, or fresh water algae accumulate rapidly in the water column, resulting in red or brown coloration of the surface water. The Padilla Bay beach was closed to shellfish harvesting due to Red Tide. ![]()
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