Red tide affects the central nervous system of both humans and wildlife.
Courtesy of Kaitlyn Bock
By Kaitlyn Bock
With the busy tourist seasons of spring break and summer in full swing, the Tampa Bay area has been plagued by the appearance of red tide, putting a damper on students’ fun –– and the beach isn’t the only thing the algal bloom has affected.
Karenia Brevis, better known as red tide, is a naturally occurring microscopic alga that produces toxins that can negatively impact the central nervous system of humans and wildlife, according to the Florida Department of Health.
During a visit to the beach when red tide is present, people can spot dead fish and sea life washed up on the shore and experience potentially unpleasant smells.
“I’ve noticed the dead fish all over the beach,” said Mckenna Reichard, a senior at the University of South Florida. “It creates an unhealthy feeling environment with how the people feel, the smell and the presence of the dead fish.”
Not only is the coastline affected, but the red tide can also discolor the water, making it red, light or dark green, or brown, according to the health department.
“There was a lot of dead fish on the shore,” said Logan Goodger, a USF junior. “There was also a lot of sea foam.”
Seafoam forms when the ocean is agitated by waves and wind and is typically a sign of a healthy ecosystem. But when mixed with algal blooms the thick sea foam can be harmful to the health of humans and the environment, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The presence of red tide has turned many students away from planning trips to the beach during their spring break and for the near future.
“I was planning on going to the beach quite a few days, but because of the red tide, I didn’t want to go. I knew my chest would end up hurting from coughing so much,” Goodger said. “I decided to opt out and hang out at the pool at my apartment complex.”
Red tide not only affects marine and wildlife, but it produces toxins that may become airborne which can lead to eye irritation and respiratory issues, according to NOAA. People with preexisting respiratory conditions like asthma are at risk for more severe symptoms.
“I have only been to the beach a few times during red tide, and it makes it less pleasant because it makes you cough and the extra fish and seaweed make it uninviting,” Reichard said. “I don’t go to the beach much, but [red tide] definitely goes into consideration when trying to make plans.”
Even when people do go to the beach, they are hesitant or unwilling to go into the water because of the algae and the risk of coughing or skin and eye irritation.
“I do not really want to go in the water during red tide because I do not want to put myself in an unsafe position,” Reichard said.
However, for people that get into the water or experience symptoms of red tide like coughing, sneezing and teary eyes, they are temporary for most people and can be eased with a thorough washing of fresh water and being in an air-conditioned space, according to the health department.
“I still went in the water anyways, and made sure to take an extremely hot shower when I got home,” Goodger said.
As of March 29, the algal bloom has begun to diminish, but is still lingering along the coast.
Beaches north of St. Petersburg have seen little to no presence of the algal blooms, while Treasure Island and Anna Maria Island are still experiencing medium levels of red tide.
Shorelines along Tampa Bay have no presence of red tide. However, several beaches south of St. Pete beach and towards Sarasota are still seeing low to medium levels of the algae.
To stay up to date on which beaches are most affected by red tide visit MyFWC.com.
Why no mention of long term effects? We know the neurodegenerative dangers of airborne toxins resulting in ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.