proposal

Red Tides Definition of a Problem Taylum Acme 8-11-2018

Introduction

According to Perkins, Florida’s red tide are toxins created by microalgae to which affects the animals due to the tint of red, green, and orange hue that it produces and the human health. The red tide is “algae bloom” that consist of “many different organisms but the most common one in Florida is Karenia brevis that impacts marine life and tourists (“Inner workings). Red tides are commonly known as Harmful algae blooms that impact the nervous system and the GI tract. Red tides usually release toxins that contaminate bivalves that are consumed which leaves people experiencing “irritated eyes, coughing, and wheezing” (Potera). Once the Harmful alga blooms, or red tides have been monitored and controlled different research can be underway to finding different solutions.

History

The Red tide blooms has been around Florida’s coast for many decades dating back to the 1500s. During that era many native Americans have been warned by a Spanish explorer to not indulge in catching fish near or in discolored waters. In 2017 to 2018, these harmful blooms have spread tremendously due to the currents of the ocean and the storms that help spread the toxin around the state of Florida (Perkins). In 2018 Florida suffered vast damages from harmful algal blooms due to the fact of high-water temperatures, decreased saline, and saturation which caused an expanded growth in coastal areas (Dobson et al).

Causes

In the state of Florida, red tides are caused by Karenia brevis a type of bloom that emits toxins called neurotoxins and brevetoxin into the surrounding waters. When these toxins are released into the water it leaves a stain or tint of red, or greenish-brown colors that spreads throughout the ocean. The rapid growth of these toxins spreads tremendously due to the ocean currents and the tropical storms that forces the growth and spread of those toxins. Data suggest that increased urbanization and agricultural expansion function as a nutrient availability due to the fact that the red tides are rising (Reynolds et al).

Effects

Florida red tides also known as harmful algal blooms can cause kill fish and increase the death population of many sea animals and near by wildlife. HABs can trap the oxygen in the water thus killing a variety of organisms in the sea. In addition to that harmful algal blooms affects the surrounding environment; humans can breathe in the toxin that it produces thus falling ill and eat fish that are contaminated. Pregnant women and people who are asthmatics are most likely vulnerable to red tides. Pregnant women who is exposed to those toxin may eventually pass it down to their babies and those who are asthmatic will experience tightness in the chest after a long day at the beach. According to Dobson et al., areas that close to the inland communities are also being affected, these communities suffering from “high levels of blue green algae” that contaminates the water sources. One of the many effects that the Red tides cause is global climate. Climate change “Increase water temperatures” which mean heavy rain fall can carry nutrients in soil into the water (Dobson et al.). With these red toxins poisoning are waters it takes a major toll in our economy causing our tourists and fishermen to back their bags until reopening of nearby beaches.

Conclusion

Red tides play a major factor in Florida’s shoreline. From storms to ocean currents the spread of red tide has rapidly increase due to those factors. Red tides do not only affect the shorelines, the beachgoers, and surrounding wildlife but also global climate. Monitoring and controlling red tide are solutions that can improve the quality in the coastal areas.

Works Cited

Dobson, Amy, et al. “Red Tide: Harmful algal blooms and global climate change.” The Science Teacher, vol. 87, no. 1, Aug. 2019, p. 35+. Gale In Context: Science, https://link-gale-com.db07.linccweb.org/apps/doc/A594924926/SCIC?u=lincclin_ecc&sid=SCIC&xid=134bfe86. Accessed 14 June 2020.

Perkins, Sid. “Inner Workings: Ramping Up the Fight Against Florida’s Red Tides.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 116, no. 14, 2019, pp. 6510. ProQuest, http://db07.linccweb.org/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.db07.linccweb.org/docview/2221233169?accountid=10674, doi: http://dx.doi.org.db07.linccweb.org/10.1073/pnas.1902219116.

Potera, Carol. “Red tide chokehold.” Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 115, no. 4, 2007, p. A188. Gale In Context: Science, https://link-gale-com.db07.linccweb.org/apps/doc/A168423813/SCIC?u=lincclin_ecc&sid=SCIC&xid=24c643e2. Accessed 12 June 2020.

Reynolds, David A., et al. “Exposure to the Florida red tide dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, and its associated brevetoxins induces ecophysiological and proteomic alterations in Porites astreoides.” PLoS ONE, vol. 15, no. 2, 2020, p. e0228414. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, https://link-gale-com.db07.linccweb.org/apps/doc/A613376350/OVIC?u=lincclin_ecc&sid=OVIC&xid=496753e5. Accessed 12 June 2020.