Mote Marine Laboratory 1989-1990 Red Tide Program. First quartery report for the period Octtober 1, 1989-December 31, 1989.

Abstract

Red tides are natural phenomena along the Florida Gulf coast caused by periodic blooms of a single-celled plant, Ptychodiscus brevis (Gymnodinium breve). This algae produces potent neurotoxins that are released to the water when the cell membrane is ruptured. Red tides produce massive fish kills, contaminate shellfish and cause respiratory irritation when aerosolized toxins are blown ashore.