Red Tide: Harmulf Algal Blooms

Introduction Red tide, often referred to as Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB), is a natural phenomenon caused by algae explosion in coastal waters. Algae are unicellular protozoa, organisms like plants. As the algae grew rapidly, they managed to change the color of the coastal sea somehow. However, the name "red tide" is not used correctly; in many cases, the sea will be various colors from green to blue and yellow. Generally, the red tide has many negative effects on the environment, the health of humans and animals.

Red tide is caused by algae breeding (defined in Wikipedia), during which algae will discolor the coastal waters (hence the name "red tide"). The growth of algae can also deplete oxygen in the water and / or release toxins that can cause disease in humans and other animals. The species that release these harmful toxins in the United States are as follows. The main factors affecting the red tide phenomenon are warm sea surface temperature, low salinity, high nutrients, mild seawater and rain, and summer sunny days (NOAA). In addition, algae associated with red tide may be carried by wind, water, storm or ship, or it may be carried over long distances.

Red tide is not the only harmful algae currently occurring in Florida. There are also many toxic blue-green algae such as Lake Okeechobee in the freshwater river in Florida. Red tide is a separate phenomenon caused by different organisms, but the two algae are usually multiplied by the same thing - agricultural outflow (ie fertilizer) and hot water. The current red tide began in November 2017 two months after Hurricane Ilma drowned the province. The Washington Post reported that when US Army Corps of Engineers released large amounts of water from Florida's Ochochbee Lake to prevent flooding, water rich in these fertilizers flowed into the sea and the fuel flow increased rapidly. Still, it is difficult to know the exact cause of this bloom. The temperature of the bay (average rise over the past few decades), salt of water, sunlight, and Gulfstream have all played a role

Tropical storms can affect red tide by moving seawater. For example, in 2005, harmful algae near the coast of Southwest Florida were shipped to Florida Panhandle during Hurricane Katrina. Regarding the current algae Bloom affecting Florida, it seems that after the tropical storm Gordon of September 2018, it has been strengthened and spread on a narrow strip of Florida (though researchers are likely to see a storm of storm against the flowering season We do not analyze the impact thoroughly.) The algae blooming in Texas in September, 2018 may be another typical event in that area of ​​that year.