Red Tide On The Coast Of Florida:
Red tide has recently occurred on the coast of Florida. It generally disappears by spring. It has been found since the 1800s in the Gulf of Mexico
- The ocean plants living in the sea grow uncontrollably and cause a bloom.
- The bloom caused by red-coloured algae is called red tide.
- It is harmful to fish, and marine mammals, and also has harmful effects on humans.
- Red tide is caused by a toxic algae species known as Karenia brevis.
- It occurs when the algae multiply in large numbers and form blooms, resulting in the water turning reddish-brown.
- The algae produce brevetoxins, which are fatal for aquatic life and capable of making humans sick
- The west coast of India is more prone to algal bloom.
- Algae like diatoms, cyanobacteria, haptophytes, and raphiphytes cause an algal bloom in India.
- Most of the algal blooms occur during the retreat of southwest monsoon and also during the pre-monsoon period.
- The temperature and the conditions are more favourable than that of the east coast.
