Have You Heard of the Red Tide?
The red tide is an algae bloom that occurs off the coast of the United States and then washes closer to shore. Algae is a type of water growing plant that grows and floats on the surface of water. An algae bloom is a large cluster of algae that rapidly grows. The red tide is a specific type of algae bloom occurring in the oceans surrounding the United States.
The red tide has been recorded to have happened as early as the 1700s. It is not a new phenomenon, it occurs naturally. However it is becoming more and more problematic. According to the NOAA, every coastal state in the United States has recorded the red tide, but the most infamous occurs frequently in the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida coast. In the past years the frequency and severity at which the red tide occurs in Florida has drastically increased. Since being recorded in 1953, we can see that the red tide blooms have occurred nearly every year since then.
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Photo by: Flickr User AJC1, shows red ride at Indian Shores Florida
Sea Grant Florida states that data also shows the drastic increase in severity since then with the worst year being in 2018. Scientists believe that the increase in severity of the red tide over the past few years is due to the over looming threat of pollution on almost every aspect of the earth’s ecosystems. The algae that makes up the red tide feeds on nitrogen and phosphorus. These elements are found naturally in the environment, but are artificially increasing in our world’s ecosystems.
Nitrogen and phosphorus are largely used in agriculture across the United States. After they have served their purpose as fertilizer or in other chemicals they are disposed of as waste. The nitrogen and phosphorus waste ends up in waterways such as the Mississippi River. Eventually the nitrogen and phosphorus runoff makes it to the Gulf of Mexico. Once in the ocean it gives the algae that causes the red tide to have more resources to multiply quicker. The algae forms large clusters and washes closer and closer to shore. Once on shore the algae wreaks havoc on ecosystems.
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Photo by: Andrew West, shows dead fish at Fort Myers Beach Florida as a result of the red tide