Introduction
Florida red tides are extremely concentrated blooms of tiny algae that arise yearly near Florida shorelines. Sometimes the microscopic algae occur along the Gulf coastlines. Various species of the microalgae blooms or red tides grow everywhere around the world, sometimes known as algal blooms because they discolor water (Hoagland et al, 145). For example if the color of the micro algae is blue, the algal bloom will cause a blue discoloration on water. This paper will discuss risk perceptions associated with the red algae in Florida, health risks of red algae on Florida, regularity, period, and severity of the occurrence of the red algae, effect of the algae and how it influences ecology wellbeing in Florida.
Causes of red tides in Florida and some of its characteristics
Red tides in Florida are regular occurrence instigated through thick combination of singular cells or various species belonging to unicellular bacteria (Hoagland et al, 146). Covers of stained water, dead aquatic organisms, and respirational nuisances in the atmosphere regularly characterize red tides.
Even a strong natural disaster such as a hurricane is not strong enough to displace toxic red algae from Florida coastlines (Hoagland et al, 147). When a natural disaster struck the shores of Florida, some experts thought it would carry with it the red tides but to everyone’s amazement, the red algae remain intact. More so, red tides are harmful as they kill fish and discharge trails of neurotoxins, which affect everything within a 155 miles radius.
As stated earlier, Florida red tides occur after an extreme growth of algae species known as Karenia brevis (McHugh 623). The algae generate neurotoxins, which as mentioned above makes marine environ inhabitable and irritates eyes and respiratory lungs of humans living the shorelines. In fact, red tides come from offshore and winds carry them closer to the coastlines. Thus, when the conditions are optimum, the red tides thrive, later evolving into poisonous flotilla, mostly during late summer and sometimes fall.
Health risk of red tide in Florida
Years of research reveals that red tides that form on the coastline of Florida poison fish which can then be fatal to human beings when they consume fish with concentrated toxins (McHugh 627). Even though there is still limited information on effect of red tides on human health after ecological exposure to red tide toxins, experts have outlines and assessed impact of toxins after inhalation. Furthermore, some scientific studies on recreational beachgoers unveiled a substantial increment in documented higher and lower respirational symptoms but no vital variances in spirometry examination limits throughout the exposure periods ( in the presence of red tides). Therefore, after comparing spirometry data and respiratory symptoms gathered during unexposed period (in the absence of red tides) one could conclude red tides affect breathing patterns of human beings. Thus, to some extent, exposure to red tides leads to respiratory challenges among human beings.
In some instances, red tides may die and decompose releasing toxins, which kill shellfish and birds. In addition, the decaying process reduces oxygen in water hence initiating suffocation or even death of marine life (Backer 1049). Thus, no man can utilize water with red tides as the algal blooms block sunlight from reaching the bottom of the water, slows water motion thus poisons the conditions of the water.
Nutrition pollution from manmade tasks worsens the red tide challenges consequently leading to severe conditions (Wolny 49). Sometimes humans are to blame for the condition because some of the manmade activities such as agriculture produce excess minerals, which wash downstream hence supporting algal bloom growth. Regulating use of fertilizers may reduce growth of algal blooms, which solely rely on nourishment from various land sources.
The first thing one takes note of is the pungent smell. It is not a smell to be precise but a whiff that triggers an itchy effect on the nose which then quickly moves to the throat area and leaves one with a sweltering effect on the lungs (Zanchett, and Eduardo 1897) (Philips 889). It is a normal phenomenon seeing dead sea organisms littering the coastline of Florida. Other marine life washes on the beach and destroys the aesthetic value of the coastline areas. The smell affects human health humans respiratory systems are built to breath fresh air.
Risk perceptions linked to red tide
In the recent past, various approved literature detailed present held insights on Florida red tides. Some surveys exposed unreliable and inexact Florida red tides information between residents and tourists. When asked regarding where individuals retrieve information from, most people preferred, internet as the best source of information (Harrison 829). Another study assessed perceptions of people concerning Florida red tide and found that females and elder people linked the red tide algal bloom to health risks, persistent respiratory challenges, and food poisoning. Since scientists conducted the two researches, there has been a noteworthy scientific progress in the systematic insights of human health impacts ranging from deadly aerosols to other pathogens. In terms of perceptions, people associate red tides with asthma and try their best to minimize the effects through use of clean water, free from red tide.
Regularity, period, and severity of the occurrence of the red algae
In Florida, red tides normally encompass Karenia brevis, which generates neurotoxins, which in turn destroy nerve cells and eradicate aquatic life at one go (Herfort 89). It is vital to note that shellfish feed on karenia brevis hence when a human being eats shellfish, it may have highly dangerous effect on the person’s body. On the other hand, individuals may breathe in toxins released into the atmosphere via sea spray hence leading to irritations, swollen eyes, gasping for air and chest tension.
Florida red tides usually have societal and traditional impacts on the local residents living in the state (Harrison 830). Generally, red tides may result into the destruction of entertainment and marketable opportunities consequently disorganizing cultural norms, reduces resources, and causes conflict among community members. In the end, it leads to stress on the communities and family in general. In fact, red tides in Florida imply stress for community members who rely on the coastal areas for a living, recreational purposes, and professional functions. For instance, beachgoers don’t have a place to go when the authorities close down the beaches.
Red tides may affect the Florida economy. The presence of red tides interrupts daily activities such as going to work and increases the utilization of medical facilities due to respiratory and digestive sickness, which normally increases with increases in the presence of red tide in Florida. In other words, people end up spending money on medication (McHugh 627). During red tides seasons, hospitalizations rise with an estimated 54% among coastal occupants. Red tides have a negative influence on tourism due to stained and discolored water with foul-smelling dead aquatic creatures thus pushes tourist away. When red tides affect tourism, employment brought about by the tourism sector takes a downward trend leaving people unemployed.
In addition, red tides have a damaging effect on flora, fauna, and natural surroundings in Florida. Currently, red tides kill an estimated 300 sea turtles annually in four Florida counties. Conservation organizations took note of the number of aquatic creature deaths and initiated efforts to slow down the impact of the algal bloom (Hoagland et al, 137). Taking note of the number of dead animals assists conservationists save endangered species and formulates conservation strategies based on the existing numbers. In the end, the animals do not just die but a conservation body somewhere balances the numbers through replacement.
The animals, chemicals, and physical science sometimes triggered red tides In Florida even before humans intensified manmade activities in Florida. However, manmade aspects play a minor role in the progression and increase of red tides in Florida (Backer 1050). Humans participate in the occurrence of red tides due to increment in the natural ecosystems in both land and water sections. High amounts of nutrients lead to an upsurge in external temperatures and alter other surrounding environmental safeguards. Dumping leftovers and chemical fertilizers into water bodies also dictates the rate of growth of the red tides in Florida.
In summary, red tides are natural occurrence caused by extremely high concentration of algal blooms, which is simply large assemblage of aquatic organisms such as protozoa and single cell algae. Red tides result into discolored water, release of toxins into water, foul smelling environs respiratory challenges such as chest tensions. Some animals such as shellfish ingest poisonous red tides and humans should keep away from consuming such fish.
Works cited
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