The red tide is then transported into the nutrient-rich shallow waters by winds and/or currents, where it continues to multiply to harmful levels. Some scientists think the Loop Current, which brings Caribbean seawater to Florida’s West Coast may initiate a bloom by causing an upwelling of nutrients as the force of the current surges against the shelf, thus creating favorable growing conditions. brevis algae blooms that start miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.Īccording to, the red tide originates 10 to 50 miles offshore along the continental shelf. However, once red tides are transported inshore, they are capable of using man-made nutrients for their growth.”Īnd again in ’s summary of University of South Florida’s study of Florida’s red tide, “ USF researchers confirm that red tide occurs naturally in the Gulf of Mexico-certainly not close to shore and never in lake water.”Ĭourtesy of Stacy Beasley So what is causing the red tide along Florida’s West Coast? Red tides occurred in Florida long before human settlement, and severe red tides were observed in the mid-1900s before the state’s coastlines were heavily developed. Florida red tides develop 10-40 miles offshore, away from man-made nutrient sources. “In contrast to the many red tide species that are fueled by nutrient pollution associated with urban or agricultural runoff, there is no direct link between nutrient pollution and the frequency or severity of red tides caused by K. However, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium located right in Sarasota, FL, claims something different: Army Corps of Engineers because they believe the Gulf Coast red tide is due to pollution in Lake Okeechobee and subsequent water releases (which the government controls). Many Florida residents are expressing their outrage to their local representatives and the U.S. Does Lake Okeechobee cause red tide in Florida? brevis population into an increasingly denser cluster,” according to. brevis organism in the water column, a major nutrient source and wind and/or water current movement that condenses the K. “This algae can grow rapidly in the perfect conditions like the presence of the K. “Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when colonies of algae-simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater-grow out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds.” – NOAA Red tide is caused by harmful microscopic algae and it occurs all over the world, but in the Gulf of Mexico the particular algae that causes red tide is called Karenia brevis. What is red tide?Īccording to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), red tide is a naturally occurring harmful algae bloom. Many are turning to news outlets for the hard-hitting facts, but it gets pretty confusing with articles like this one from NBC simultaneously talking about red tide in the Gulf of Mexico caused by Karenia brevis, and the mass growth of blue green algae or cyanobacteria in Lake Okeechobee caused by runoff from fertilizers and other pollutants. Is red tide natural? Is it the government’s fault? Is Lake Okeechobee the cause? WARNING GRAPHIC: Graphic images of dead wildlife are in the video below Many are wondering, what is causing the worst red tide in Florida in almost ten years, pollution or nature? And how can you stop it from happening? It’s hard not to feel strong emotions when you see dead wildlife lining the most loved beaches, not to mention the looming stench in the surrounding areas. It’s hard not to question where this deadly and potent algae comes from. If you have news tips, please send them to Help support our local journalism, subscribe today.Red tide is hitting Florida’s Gulf Coast hard, leaving locals and visitors outraged by the masses of dead fish, turtles and other sea life washing up on shore. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Kimberly Miller is a veteran journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. In 2007, a red-tide bloom near Jacksonville traveled south with a near-shore current. Since 1972 when the transport of red tide from the west coast to the east was first identified, seven more instances had been documented prior to 2018, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Once in the Gulf Stream, waves can force the toxin produced to be dispersed in the air, which can be carried by east winds to the beaches. A west coast bloom can reach the east coast if it gets caught in the Gulf of Mexico's loop current and travels through the Florida Straits into the Gulf Stream - a north-moving river of warm water that skims the Palm Beach County coastline. Can red tide on Florida's west coast reach the state's east coast?
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