Red Tide | Water Quality Dashboard (2024)

FAQs

Does red tide affect air quality? ›

This bloom, like many HABs, is caused by microscopic algae that produce toxins that kill fish and make shellfish dangerous to eat. The toxins may also make the surrounding air difficult to breathe.

Red tide blooms can last days, weeks or months, and can also change daily due to wind conditions and ocean currents. Is it safe to swim in water affected by red tide? While people swim in red tide, some individuals may experience skin irritation and burning eyes. If your skin is easily irritated, avoid red tide water.

The technology being studied now is called clay flocculation. Clay particles are applied to waters infested with Karenia brevis, the algae which causes red tide. The cells become enmeshed in the clay and fall to the sea floor.

They are most common off the central and southwestern coasts of Florida between Clearwater and Sanibel Island but may occur anywhere in the Gulf. Blooms are less common but do occur along the southeastern Atlantic coast as far north as North Carolina.

Red tides most often form in late summer and early fall and persist through winter to spring; see our table Over 100 years of Red Tides off Florida's West Coast.

Karenia brevis produce what are known as brevetoxins, which can kill marine life and birds. The red tide organism can also cause health problems in humans, such as skin irritation. Brevetoxins that have become airborne may cause those near the beach to develop a cough or congestion.

In a process called clay flocculation, a solution of clay and seawater is sprayed over the water surface of an affected area. Clay particles then burst the algal cells and aggregate with the burst cells and their released toxins.

Swimming in the ocean during low-level or moderate red tide is typically safe for most people, but it won't necessarily be a pleasant experience. Be careful if you're swimming in red tide waters and have open wounds; flush the wound with fresh water as soon as you can. If dead fish are present, stay out of the water.

Florida's last devastating red tide event was recent – just two years ago in 2021. At that time, hundreds of dead fish could be seen at a time along Tampa Bay's waters, with one local fisherman describing it as "an absolute nightmare" that "looked like a bomb had gone off."

Currently there is no tried-and-true way to completely remove the red tide algae and its impacts without potentially harming Gulf ecosystems. Mote scientists are currently studying control and mitigation methods.

What triggers red tide? ›

A red tide occurs when certain types of algae—plant-like organisms that live in the water—grow out of control. The name “red tide” comes from the fact that overgrowth of algae can cause the color of the water to turn red, as well as green or brown.

An easy way to help prevent red tide is to limit use of fertilizer as the nutrients present in them feed the algae that cause red tide. You can also purchase our Discover Florida's Oceans plate to help preserve our oceans and protect the plants and animals that call it home.

Many beaches where these events tend to occur post signs warning visitors of potential symptoms, including skin or eye irritation and coughing or sneezing. Going into the affected water or just breathing in the foul odor of red tide can cause these events, harming people who don't even step foot into the ocean.

Red tide toxins can also accumulate in shellfish such as oysters and clams, which can lead to Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP) in anyone who consumes the contaminated mollusks. This is not commonly fatal for humans but may be for pets and other land animals.

Red tides can last from days to months. The length of time that a plankton bloom continues depends on many things, such as available nutrients and sunlight, water temperature, changes in wind or surf conditions, competition with other species, and grazing by zooplankton and small fish. Are Red Tides “Natural”?

Keep an eye out for symptoms.

People may develop health problems during red tide, even if they've never had them before. Be aware of any symptoms that may arise, including: Respiratory irritation (coughing, sneezing) Shortness of breath.

After ingestion, this poison immediately affects the nervous system, with symptoms usually occurring within 30 minutes. Severity depends on the amount of toxin consumed. Initial reactions are tingling of the lips and tongue, which spreads to the face, neck, fingertips, and toes. Headache, dizziness, and nausea follow.

Symptoms from breathing red tide toxins usually include coughing, sneezing, and teary eyes. For most people, symptoms are temporary when red tide toxins are in the air. Wearing a particle filter mask may lessen the effects, and research shows that using over-the- counter antihistamines may decrease your symptoms.

Even algal blooms that don't produce harmful toxins can negatively impact marine ecosystems and wildlife. As blooms of non-toxic algae decay, the oxygen levels in sea waters drop, forcing local sea life to find safer waters or die due to asphyxiation.