A sign used to dispose of marine life from “red tide” bacteria in dumpsters is seen at Bay Vista Park on July 21, 2021 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Octavian Jones
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Octavian Jones
A sign used to dispose of marine life from “red tide” bacteria in dumpsters is seen at Bay Vista Park on July 21, 2021 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Octavian Jones
The harmful “red tide,” which is known to discolor ocean waters and kill marine life off the coast of Florida, is back for another year.
A toxic organism that paints water red was detected in February and found in several higher-than-normal fields in South Florida counties in recent days, state officials said.
Since his return, images of dead fish washing up on Florida beaches have surfaced, and federal authorities are warning people of the possibility of respiratory irritation from contaminated air.
Why is it called “red tide”
Oceans and other bodies of water are filled with algae, small amounts of which are toxic but often exist in such low concentrations that they pose little danger to humans and surrounding marine life.
When those toxic aquatic organisms multiply, they can form what are known as harmful algal blooms, which have been reported in every US coastal state.
While there are dozens of species of potentially dangerous algae, one that is known to appear every year along the Gulf of Florida is called Karenia is shortA microscopic organism with appendages called flagella uses flagella for swimming.
when Karenia is short As the algae multiply, they can form blooms that turn the water red-brown, giving the phenomenon the moniker “red tide.”
Red tides have been documented along Florida’s gulf coast as far back as the 1840s, state officials said.
Scientists can’t predict when red tides will hit, but experts in Florida are researching prevention and mitigation measures to lessen their impact.
Toxic algae can kill fish and make people sick
Karenia is short produce what are known as brevetoxins, which can kill marine life and birds.
The red heat organism can also cause health problems in humans, such as skin irritation. Brevetoxins that become airborne can cause those near the beach to develop coughing or congestion.
People who eat shellfish affected by brevetoxins can also come down with Neurotoxic shellfish poison, which can lead to gastrointestinal problems, tingling sensations in the mouth, inversion of hot and cold sensations and other symptoms.
Florida’s Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission warns people not to swim in or around red tide waters due to the possibility of skin irritation, scald and burns, and sedation. People with asthma or lung disease should avoid beaches affected by toxic algae.
If you come in contact with red hot water, Florida health officials recommend washing with soap and water and moving to an air-conditioned area.
What happens in Florida?
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Friday it had received reports over the past week of respiratory disease in humans and dead fish in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties. The journal is suspected of being a red tide.
A local TV station shows it footage of dead fish to wash on the shores, and there is also other marine life according to his feelings by toxic algae.
There were also threats to people. He was at the National Center for Ocean Science’s beach on Monday forecasting high risk of respiratory irritation from red tide on certain beaches in Charlotte, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.
According to TV station Gulf News 9, local businesses were worried that the red tide would drive away tourists and negatively affect the economy of South Florida.
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