Hi duffer-ga,
Because no one can predict this far in advance what the status will be
like in any future time, I've provided some resources and facts
(FAQ's) for you to monitor events.
Florida Marine Research Institute
100 Eighth Avenue SE
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5095
PH: 727-896-8626
HAB Bulletins
"Mitigating the effects of harmful algal blooms (HAB) requires
efficient monitoring to determine the location of affected areas and
consistent communication between responsible agencies and the public.
Advance notice of an event increases the options for monitoring and
harvesting shellfish, and for preparing for beach cleanup.
The HAB bulletin provides timely information to the management
community in the Gulf of Mexico during a bloom event. The near
real-time bulletins provide interpreted data that include wind speed
and direction information, and a chlorophyll image from the
OrbView-2/Sea-viewing Wide Field of view Sensor (SeaWiFS) satellite.
The bulletin is a collaborative effort of the National Ocean Service
Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, NOAA CoastWatch, and the
NOAA Coastal Services Center. It was developed in cooperation with the
Gulf states.
Bulletins are sent via e-mail to registered users during a bloom
event. To be added to the mailing list, contact: csc@csc.noaa.gov."
NOAA Coastal Services Center Bulletins
http://www.csc.noaa.gov/crs/habf/bulletin.html
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Weekly updates to the public on Red Tide conditions:
Redtide Online.com
http://www.redtideonline.com/about.htm#what_are_we_doing
--------------
Southwest region: Concentrations of the FL red tide organism have
returned to normal in all recently collected samples. This event
appears to be over. This report is to update some continuing
activities. Current status report available for 12/12 (status report
for 12/05 and 11/21 also available); map of red tide counts available
for 12/08-10.
Harmful Algal Bloom Project
http://www.csc.noaa.gov/crs/habf/
--------------
Red Tide Current Status Information
Information on current red tide sampling and blooms around the state
of Florida.
RED TIDE STATUS AS OF 12/12/02:
http://www.floridamarine.org/features/view_article.asp?id=9670
"Southwest region: Concentrations of the FL red tide organism have
returned to normal in all recently collected samples. This event
appears to be over. This report is to update some continuing
activities. Current status report available for 12/12 (status report
for 12/05 and 11/21 also available); map of red tide counts available
for 12/08-10."
-----------
Red Tide Current Status Information
Information on current red tide sampling and blooms around the state
of Florida.
http://www.floridamarine.org/features/view_article.asp?id=9670
Further down the above website's page... you can view detailed current
information
Current Status Reports Southwest 12/12/02
To view these PDF files, please download Acrobat Reader at this site:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
-------------
"The dinoflagellate Karenia brevis, or K.brevis, which is the
predominant red tide organism in the Gulf of Mexico (and can also
occur on the Atlantic side of the Florida coast) can kill fish in vast
numbers, make shellfish poisonous to humans, and release toxic
airborne irritants that drive coastal residents and tourists from
beaches.
Off Florida, it seems to originate 10-50 miles offshore along
Florida's continental shelf, in what have been termed "initiation
zones." Since it initiates offshore in low nutrient water, the role of
nutrients from pollutants is still a mystery. Some scientists think
the Loop Current which brings Caribbean Sea water to Florida's west
coast, may initiate a bloom. They speculate that there is an upwelling
of nutrients produced as the current surges against the shelf, thus
creating favorable growing conditions. The red tide is then
transported into the nutrient-rich, shallow waters by winds and/or
currents, where it continues to multiply to harmful levels. Much
remains to be found out: the precise location of initiation zones, the
cause of bloom initiation, what transports a bloom into shallow
waters, what causes a bloom to die off, and the cycle of toxicity and
the release of toxins during the bloom."
WHAT IS RED TIDE?
http://www.start1.com/rtide.htm
----------------
"People sometimes have itching eyes and respiratory irritation
(coughing, sneezing and tearing) when red tide organism (Karenia
breve) is present along a coast and winds blow its toxic aerosol on
shore.
CAUTION: People with severe or chronic respiratory conditions (such as
emphysema or asthma) should consult their physician as to whether or
not to avoid red tide areas during times of outbreaks. Use common
sense.
Generally, symptoms are temporary and disappear within hours (once
exposure is discontinued)."
General FAQ HEALTH IMPACT
http://www.redtideonline.com/health.htm
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Is red tide a new Phenomenon?
No. The first official reporting of red tide in Florida was in 1844.
Government officials documented discolored water and massive fish
kills.
How long does a redtide outbreak last?
A Red outbreak usually lasts several months but is psoradic and
patchy. It has, under more unusual situations, lasted for more then
one year.
What conditions cause Red Tide?
The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, is a part of the Gulf of Mexico
ecosystem and can be found in low concentrations at any time. Blooms
or red tides occur when very high concentrations of red tide cells
occur. Blooms are most likely to occur from August through November
although there have been red tides in every month of the year.
Scientists are working to develop a complete understanding of the
physical, chemical and biological parameters that lead to red tide's
formation and persistence. Parameters such as temperature, salinity,
currents, nutrients and competing species all may contribute to bloom
conditions.
Red Tide Faqs
http://www.redtideonline.com/faq.htm
-------------
"How bad is it? Red tides caused by the organism Karenia brevis
(K.brevis) release harmful toxins causing mass mortalities of various
marine organisms. These Harmful Algae Blooms, or HABīs, are
responsible for the deaths of several endangered marine mammals: the
Florida manatee, for one. In 1996, red tide was responsible for the
deaths of almost 10% of the Florida manatee population and 162
dolphins in Mexico.
Over the last 20 years, red tides caused by a number of toxic
dinoflagellates, have increased in frequency and severity. Formerly,
the threat was to a few regions in scattered locations. Now, it
affects larger areas, in virtually every U.S. coastal state and
shoreline throughout the world. Often, more than one harmful or toxic
algal species is involved. Red tides affect humans, wildlife, fishery
resources and our economy.
The algal species, K.brevis, releases toxins that cause massive fish
kills. Thousands of tons of dead fish litter beaches, bays, and
estuaries during these red tide blooms."
EFFECTS OF RED TIDE
http://www.start1.com/effects.htm
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Google search: "red tides", "southwest Florida red tides",
"Gasparilla Island Florida", "red tides 2003"
I hope this information will be helpful to you.
Regards,
tlspiegel
Google Answers Researcher |
