Most oceanographers and scientists prefer the term harmful algal blooms over the term red tide because the water is not always discolored when the blooms cause damage and because it is often harmless even when the water is discolored.

There are still many differing theories as to the cause of these phenomena.

One such theory put forward by Raphael Kudela, assistant professor of ocean studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, is that the increased urea content in the sewage run-off in urban, agricultural, and aquicultural areas may play a more crucial role in triggering and/or sustaining harmful algal blooms than was previously considered.

Although marine biologists routinely monitor the sea’s ecosystems for above normal concentrations of common inorganic nutrients, urea has not been on the list of substances to be monitored.

Laboratory studies have shown that dinoflagellates use organic

In 1996, 149 manatees in Florida died from the effects of the red tide. This was extremely harmful to the manatee population due to the fact that this animal is endangered. Stomach contents showed that the toxin entered through the food chain. Lung tissues also showed that direct contact with a toxic aerosol occurred when the animals broke the surface to breathe.

Whatever the cause, red tides are certain to be around for many years to come. The environment has always found a way to recover a trend that will hopefully continue.

Different species of toxic algae are known to cause a wide range of illness in humans. Man is primarily exposed to the naturally occurring toxins produced by harmful algal blooms through the consumption of contaminated seafood products.

Although some species of this phytoplankton produce strong neurotoxins when they bloom, most of these “blooms” are not harmful.

It's almost impossible to predict where a red tide event will take place, considering they have occurred along most coasts. The most common sites are along the Florida coast, the Gulf of Mexico, and along the Mexican coast.

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