For the past 11 months, the state of Florida has been experiencing a red tide event that has left much of the Florida’s Gulf Coast devastated. The toxins produced by a specific species of algae called Karenia brevis have killed an incredible amount of marine life, including many fish species, crabs, eels, manatees, dolphins, turtles, and much more, and there have been no signs of it slowing down. Several Florida counties are now in a state of emergency as the economy, local residents, and wildlife populations suffer.
The term red tide is used to describe a harmful algal bloom, which happens when algae grows out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds. The algae is so numerous that the bloom often turns the water red, which is why the event is dubbed ‘red tide.’ The toxins produced by K. brevis, a species found in the Gulf Coast, attack the nervous systems of wildlife when accidentally ingested and the fumes given off can affect people's’ breathing.
However, red tide events are naturally occurring events. Reports of massive fish kills and aggravating fumes go back centuries in different parts of the world. Florida’s Gulf Coast does typically experience a red tide event every summer to some extent. However, this year’s occurrence, which began in October of 2017, has been particularly devastating. The question is why? We know that this species of algae, K. brevis, is always present in the water columns off of Florida’s Gulf Coast. So what is the reason behind this year’s intense and deadly algal bloom?
The term red tide is used to describe a harmful algal bloom, which happens when algae grows out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds. The algae is so numerous that the bloom often turns the water red, which is why the event is dubbed ‘red tide.’ The toxins produced by K. brevis, a species found in the Gulf Coast, attack the nervous systems of wildlife when accidentally ingested and the fumes given off can affect people's’ breathing.
However, red tide events are naturally occurring events. Reports of massive fish kills and aggravating fumes go back centuries in different parts of the world. Florida’s Gulf Coast does typically experience a red tide event every summer to some extent. However, this year’s occurrence, which began in October of 2017, has been particularly devastating. The question is why? We know that this species of algae, K. brevis, is always present in the water columns off of Florida’s Gulf Coast. So what is the reason behind this year’s intense and deadly algal bloom?
Dead loggerhead sea turtle washed up on Florida's coast. One explanation could be the amount of agricultural runoff coming from the land. Typically, algal blooms will occur offshore but travel inland via water currents and winds. Then, when the algae meets the nutrient-rich coastline provided by runoff, we see dramatic algae blooms. Basically, the algae population has a steady food supply which could account for it to continue blooming and a red tide event to occur if harmful toxins are produced.
Researchers have also documented significant red tide events after major hurricane years in Florida. When all the rainwaters flood the land, they eventually bring nutrient-rich runoff back into the Gulf resulting in red tides, which occurred in both 2004 and 2005. Hurricane Irma hit Florida in 2017 which brought massive amounts of runoff back into the ocean. Therefore, the red tide the state is experiencing now would be consistent with this theory. Also with climate change scientists predicting more frequent and intense storms, more severe red tide events could continue to occur in the future.
Meanwhile, the debate over the causes of red tide, mainly man-made vs. natural, rages on. There are researchers, scientists, politicians, and members of the public that fall on both sides of the argument, while many believe the answer lies somewhere in the middle. Nutrients are most definitely produced naturally in environments, and in some circumstances, naturally produced nutrients have caused algal blooms. We also know man-made nutrients have driven many algal blooms worldwide as well. Therefore, the answer is not entirely clear.
Either way though, solutions are needed and there is one interesting idea in the works for mitigating this problem. Mote Marine Laboratory has created a device called the “Ozone Treatment System” that can filter 300 gallons of water per minute and is designed to break down toxins in the water by injecting the water with ozone. Currently Mote scientists are still in their testing phases, but there does seem to be a ray of hope on the horizon.
Either way though, solutions are needed and there is one interesting idea in the works for mitigating this problem. Mote Marine Laboratory has created a device called the “Ozone Treatment System” that can filter 300 gallons of water per minute and is designed to break down toxins in the water by injecting the water with ozone. Currently Mote scientists are still in their testing phases, but there does seem to be a ray of hope on the horizon.
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