Red Tide is sweeping the US, bearing down on the southern states in a toxic mass with severe connotations for human and animal health.
Mainly a threat to animals, Red Tide can be a dangerous occurrence in the natural landscape and is treated as a major hazard.
A collection of smaller organisms, people who come into contact with water bearing the Red Tide suffer from respuratory and skin irritation.
As such, pools and beaches where Red Tide is found are shut down while authorities treat the affected water.
What is Red Tide?
Red Tide is actually a type of algal bloom named Karenia Brevis.
Algal blooms are essentially just large masses of small organisms named algae, which take to the water and multiply en masse.
Algae increase in both freshwater and saltwater environments, which causes water discolouration.
The organisms which make up algae produce toxins which can result in widespread wildlife kills.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the Red Tide kills fish, causes respiratory irritation, and also kills sea turtles, manatees, birds, and dolphins.
For humans to be affected by the tide, it has to be ingested or there needs to be some kind of skin contact, meaning people should stray away from affected areas.
According to Florida’s Marine Laboratory and Aquarium (MOTE), the Red Tide toxin can become aerosolised (travel through the air).
This means being around areas where the Red Tide has taken root could result in skin and respiratory irritation, so wearing masks is advised.
Why is Red Tide in Florida?
Red Tide mainly forms in saltwater, and is caused by an upwelling of nutrients from the sea floor, likely as a result of storms.
At this time of year, areas like Florida are consistently under threat from major storms tackling the coast, making red tide more common.
MOTE says the Red Tide needs “the appropriate temperature, salinity, and nutrients it needs to grow and multiply”.
This means Red Tide is generally taking place in Florida due to a combination of different elements, including the right conditions and storms stirring them up in the first place.