The Causes of Florida Red Tide - Essay Example

Florida Red Tide Introduction Sea waters in some coastal places changes in color as a result of the red tide. The change of color is attributed to change of population within the coastal region or dinoflagellates. Red tide is blamed for mass killings of fish and health impacts of the population in southwest Florida. The blooms along the southwest Florida is believed to have become worst because it frequently occurs. Additionally, Florida red tide is thought to have increased in the last two decades. Due to its annual occurrence, quite a number of marine organisms such as fish, dolphins and turtles have died. Endangered species, birds, and people are also affected by the red tide in Florida. The red tide along the coastal region of Florida has had massive effects. Residents within are demanding for long term solution. The Causes of Florida Red Tide Pinet (2014) point out that Florida red tide is attributed to the wind blowing from Africa. The wind carries dust rich in iron from Sahara desert in Africa to West Atlantic Ocean, and dust blown changes the chemistry of water. It is approximated that dust dissolving in water has occurred many times and has risen by 300%. The author explains that more and more infusion of dust with iron in sea waters is the cause of plankton bloom of bacteria. A high concentration of bacteria in waters raises the level of nitrogen mainly in shallow waters of Florida Keys and in the end it causes the Red tide. The red tide has tremendous implications for the ecosystem, causes the death of massive number of fish and illness of people with the sea. Close to 75% to 80% of the dust that falls on to Florida coastline is from Africa. Based on the studies by Pinet (2014), it is surprising to find that dust carried by wind from Africa contain microorganisms. Dust contains different type of organisms that include viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Virus blown with dust from Africa is what is believed to have killed orange groves in Florida. Pesticides and herbicides are also the cause of Florida red tide. Chemicals used by the population in Northern African releases toxin into the air. Toxins combine with the dust and blown to southern parts of America. Some of the chemicals used by farmers have a high concentration of beryllium-7, mercury, and radioactive lead. Dust blown by wind from Africa to South American contains a high concentration of chemicals mentioned. A chronic disease such as asthma that has been noted in Barbados population is a clear indication of health hazards of dust. Red Tide Basics: Bloom Dynamics and Physiology A report by Alcock (2007) indicates that a species behind the Florida red tides is dinoflagellates, scientifically known as Karenia brevis. Dinoflagellates are a species of phytoplankton common in parts of Gulf of Mexico and West Florida Shelf. Florida red tides, as mentioned earlier, exist in warm waters. Alcock (2007) point out that the species grows in waters with temperatures ranging between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius. However, the concentration of sunlight may affect the growth rate of dinoflagellates. Watersheds also increase the development of blooms. The development of blooms is common in deeper waters which later move to the surface. Ocean currents move the developed blooms closer to the shores and along the coast. Despite the fact that blooms develop in a place with insufficient nutrients, they can maintain their growth by recycling nutrients. As such, researchers have identified destruction of red tides as a change in nutrient ratios, predation and limiting the availability of nutrients. Historical Trends Based on several studies and a number of historical views by harmful algae bloom researchers, it was revealed that the toxic algae bloom is overwhelming. Several reasons were cited by the researchers as the cause of increasing cases of algae bloom globally. Some of them include; increasing the population that foster eutrophication of seawaters and increase in global temperatures. Florida red tide occurs in most cases annually, and the worst of all blooms occurred in 2005. Nonetheless, a case of severe blooms had occurred in ancient times. For example, a harmful algae bloom is believed to have occurred in 1948 and 1949 in southwest Florida. However, the intensity of the recent blooms has increased significantly in coastal regions of Florida. The population within the coastal areas of West Florida has indicated that the frequency and intensity of blooms have increased. Their calls for an effort to eradicate Florida red tides have also been supported by the media. Other studies reveal that the concentration of blooms was high between 1994 and 2003 far more that the intensity of blooms between 1954 and 1963. Coastal Pollution and Florida Red Tide Some people believe that coastal pollution is the cause of blooms that have risen for many years affecting the residents and species within the region. Some researchers think that terrestrial nutrients increase the growth of red tides. On the other hand, some urge that there is no relationship between terrestrial nutrients and red tides. Additionally, scientists believe that terrestrial nutrients cause red tides. Nonetheless, the stakeholders within the region point out that terrestrial nutrients increase the growth of red tides. Several studies have, however, been conducted and it reveals that K.brevis uses both inorganic and organic nutrients. K.brevis is an organism that causes red tides. Reasons, e.g., Water Quality, High Load of Nutrition There has been a debate on whether coastal pollution is responsible for red tide blooms. Some people agree while others have different views. Studies reveal that the growth of red tide blooms intensifies ones it moves inshore. Pollution is responsible for the development and intensity of red blooms inshore. The availability of nutrients also determines the growth rate of K. brevis. According to Aclock (2007), K. brevis, unlike other phytoplankton species, it grows slowly. It is a kind of species that uses a variety of nutrients. In a case where there are fewer amounts of nutrients, K. brevis utilizes nutrients with other phytoplankton. Studies further reveal that red tide uses organic nutrients far more than inorganic nutrients. As such, K.brevis is capable of growing in harsh conditions where other phytoplankton species cannot survive. Based on such studies, it was concluded that ride tide can dominate other species of phytoplankton that grow much faster than Florida red tides. However, it has not been easy for the scientist to find out what makes nutrients only available for K. brevis other than phytoplankton species. Impacts to Marine Life and Human Health A significant massive number of marine lives have died as a result of toxins released by Karenia brevis. Marine lives that are mostly affected are fish, sea turtles, birds, and others. The author explains that K. brevis releases specific toxins known as brevetoxins at the time of blooms of Florida red tide. The release of toxins that cause the death of fish also causes the deprivation of oxygen. The deficiency of oxygen as a result of massive killings of fish by toxic leads to severe impacts on other marine lives. Studies, however, has not been useful in identifying the exact economic and ecological impacts of the population resulting from brevetoxins. The impact of the population is as a result of long-term exposure to toxins of K. brevis. However, research in coastal Florida is still underway to ascertain the chronic effect of brevetoxins (Alcock 2007). Brevetoxins Studies brevetoxins have run for more than 30 years; nevertheless, one type of brevetoxins had been identified by the scientist before 1981. Based on the expert research, it was noted that the dangers of red tide blooms arises from the relationship between the cell and the toxin. The lethality of brevetoxins is that it depolarizes the nerve cells of an organism. Additionally, the toxins cause the muscles to lose its functionality. The toxins also affect the respiratory system and the cardiac muscle. However, the toxicity of brevetoxins varies as per their metabolism. Because of the nature of marine life, brevetoxins are a danger to them. Toxins are exposed to marine life in many ways, touch, consumption, and inhalation of toxins. In addition, marine life can be exposed to toxins through the cell membrane such as skin tissue and the blood-brain barrier. A dangerous Florida red tide blooms is estimated to kill approximately 100 tons of fish in a day. Massive deaths of marine life is a sign of a dangerous ride tide blooms. Fish are exposed to the red tide by breathing on them, swimming in red tide invested waters and ingestion of blooms. The exposure to brevetoxins kills fish because paralysis, respiratory and muscle problem they experience after exposure. Exposure of fish to red tide varies and, as a result, some die while others live. Acute exposure to brevetoxins is what causes the death of fish. On the other hand, lower level of exposure has little or no effect on the fish, but the toxins remain intact on the body (Alcock, 2007). It has also been discovered that brevetoxins can be transferred from one species to another. For example, scientists reveal that lower trophic species ingest brevetoxins and accumulate them in their bodies. The species later transfers the accumulated toxins to other species especially the higher trophic species. The phenomenon was noted on the deaths involving dolphins and manatees. Studies also reveal that there are various techniques that make it possible for brevetoxins to move up the food web. As such, chronic and acute mortality cases have been witnessed in some places. However, there has been a huge time difference between the existence of blooms and mortality. A time that saw massive deaths of manatees took place in 1962 and 1996. The pathologies revealed that the brevetoxins were the cause of death as per analysis of manatees’ respiratory tract. Brains and kidneys also showed traces of brevetoxins. However, there was a time lag between the massive deaths of manatees and the existence of red tides. Impacts on Human Health Human health suffers the toxicity of red tide because many people have no idea that they are consuming poisons. The fact is that chemical and physical nature of brevetoxins makes it impossible to be detected by a consumer. Alcock (2007) says that brevetoxins are colorless, odorless, acid resistant as well as the heat-resistant toxin. Most people suffer the toxicity of red tide because they consume food contaminated with brevetoxins. A significant percentage of toxins that human get exposed to come from shellfish. Humans are exposed to neurotoxic shell poisoning, NSP associated with brevetoxins. Such toxins are common in shellfish such as clams, oysters, and scallops. However, the dangers associated with neurotoxic shell poisoning are less as compared to other brevetoxins. A person exposed to NSP experience neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms as well as respiratory failure. Respiratory failure is considered as a severe case of NSP. Nonetheless, the residents of Florida have never had any effects of NSP because the authorities have imposed measures to curb the exposure. The agency in control of the situation is Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer services. The authorities ensure that no shellfish are harvested and sold to the consumers. Economic Impacts It is impossible to ascertain the economic effects of Florida red tide because of the inconsistencies associated with data from different researchers. Nonetheless, the effect of the red tide is profound in localized areas of Florida. Studies, however, reveal that the average economic impacts resulting from blooms accounted to $82 million in 1987-2000. Tourism and recreational effects as a result of red tide amounted to $4 million in the same year. Difficulties, however, arises in the estimation of economic impacts as a result of the red tide. For example, while some researchers estimate that tourism impacts are resulting from red tide average to $4 million, others present a vast number. Some claim that tourism impact due to red tide is approximately $240 million as per research within a single metropolitan city. Economic impacts due to red tide blooms is defined as “to mean lost gross revenues in the relevant product or factor markets, expenditures for environmental monitoring and management or other costs that would not have been incurred in the absence of HABs.” (Alcock 2007). Red tide blooms affect the following areas; tourism, public sector, recreation and commercial fisheries. For example, in other regions apart from Florida, the red tide affects the public health sector because of shellfish poisoning. Florida, however, reports a few cases of shell poisoning because of tight security measures relating to the sale of shellfish in Florida market. Management Strategies According to Alcock (2007), HAB management has identified three effective management strategies to deal with the case of blooms. The strategies identified include; control, prevention, and medication. Preventive measures entail stoppage of the red tide from growing or limiting their extent. Control refers strategies taken to minimize or neutralize the toxins from the organism by removing the toxins or organisms from the ocean. Mitigation strategies identify measures to reduce the effects of the red tide without consideration of the organism that causes red tide blooms. The three approaches are significant steps that must be employed so as to tackle the effects of red tide blooms. One strategy cannot be enough to deal with the problem of red tide blooms. Prevention Many people argue that preventive measures taken to deal with Florida red tide are ineffective. It might be true because Florida red tide has existed for many years even before the influx of people in the coastal region. However, preventive measures are still effective in dealing with the red tide blooms. Preventive measures such as lowering the amount of nutrients that find access to watersheds is significant steps towards minimizing blooms. In addition, such measures are necessary because they are closely related to ecological benefits. Control Scientists have identified a variety of ways to control red tide based on the experiments done in laboratories. They explain that it is not easy to remove red tide blooms completely in large scale as compared to control in a small environment. A number of applications have been identified for effective control of Florida red tide. Some of the applications are available in canals and coastal regions. There are certain measures that have to be considered when using technologies created for control of blooms. For example, one has to consider the effectiveness of the technology. The technology must be safe to the environment. Additionally, the agency responsible has to consider the logistical feasibility of the technology employed. Works Cited Alcock, Frank. An Assessment of Florida Red Tide: Causes, Consequences and Management Strategies. Technical Report. August 2007. Pinet R. Paul. Invitation to Oceanography. Burlington, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2014. Print. Read More