Red tide is a seawater phenomenon, which is also referred to as harmful algae bloom (HAB). In some cases, harmful algae blooms are not dense enough to give the ocean a particular hue. However, their most prominent effect is the change of sea surface color to red and is also often seen in the surrounding ecosystem. Most phytoplankton species are not harmful to people, but a small number of species are known to produce potent neurotoxins. These toxins can be transferred down the food chain.
The algae responsible for the red tides in Florida is called Karnia Brevis. Naturally, the small amounts of this algae can be met in different ecosystems without posing a threat other living creatures. But the red tide in Florida is caused by the pollution of the water, which creates a ferile environment for a massive bloom of Karnia Brevis. As a result, dead algae feeds the bacteria that consumes oxygen from the water, depriving other organizams of sufficient oxygen. The suffocation of fish and aquatic animals can happen directly as bacteria can clog their gills.
The second factor of nuisance is because Karenia Brevis is able to produce potent neurotoxins such as brevetoxins. These toxins open sodium channels in cells causing muscles to clench inappropriately (Diaz et al., 2021). Overload of such toxins can lead to the death of sea life and makes it dangerous to consume as the toxins are hard to identify by taste and hard to get rid of by cooking (Diaz et al., 2021). Therefore, Florida red tide is a concerning environmental issue, which needs to be addressed.
References
Diaz, R. E., Friedman, M. A., Jin, D., Beet, A., Kirkpatrick, B., Reich, A.,… & Hoagland, P. (2019). Neurological illnesses associated with Florida red tide (Karenia Brevis) blooms. Harmful Algae, 82, 73-81.