EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Red tides are caused by a type of plantlike organism called a dinoflagellate, which also is ubiquitous in lakes, rivers, estuaries and the oceans. The particular dinoflagellate that causes Florida’s red tide blooms, Karenia brevis, can literally make water look blood red and occurs primarily in marine waters.

Detailed explanation-2: -Red tides, also called harmful algal blooms (HABs), occur when microscopic algae multiply to higher-than-normal concentrations, often discoloring the water. Although more than 50 HAB species occur in the Gulf of Mexico, one of the most well-known species is Karenia brevis, the red tide organism.

Detailed explanation-3: -Red Tide is caused by a “population explosion” of toxic, naturally occurring microscopic plankton (specifically, a subgroup known as dinoflagellates). “Blooms” of the poison-producing plankton are coastal phenomena caused by environmental conditions that promote explosive growth.

Detailed explanation-4: -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. As the name suggests, the bloom of algae often turns the water red.

Detailed explanation-5: -Infographic Transcripts: Red Tide Red tide in Florida and Texas is caused by the rapid growth of a microscopic algae called Karenia brevis. When large amounts of this algae are present, it can cause a harmful algal bloom (HAB) that can be seen from space.