Crimson Tide (a.ka. "Toxic Algal Bloom")
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Crimson Tide (a.k.a. "Toxic Algal Bloom") has been a common occurrence in the coastal areas of the temperate and tropical regions of the planet. In the marine environment, single-celled, microscopic, plant-like organisms naturally occur in the well-lit surface layer of any body of water. These organisms, referred to as phytoplankton or microalgae, form the base of the food web upon which nearly all other marine organisms depend. Unfortunately, depending on where you go , or you ask, there is concern that the biological weapons programs of different nations may have led to the recent mutation of the Crimson Tide into a more toxic variety. Some environmentalists believe that the recent events of the Third Great War have triggered an "evolutionary event" within the oceans of the planet. Either way, many scientists fear that the crimson tide events threaten the food supply, and may threaten the food supply of coastal communities.

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Of the 5000+ species of marine phytoplankton that exist worldwide, about 2% are known to be harmful or toxic. Blooms of harmful algae can have large and varied impacts on marine ecosystems, depending on the species involved, the environment where they are found, and the mechanism by which they exert negative effects. Examples of common harmful effects of TABs include:

  1. the production of neurotoxins which cause mass mortalities in fish, seabirds and marine mammals
  2. human illness or death via consumption of seafood contaminated by toxic algae or by swimming in the algal field
  3. mechanical damage to other organisms, such as disruption of epithelial gill tissues in fish, resulting in asphyxiation
  4. oxygen depletion of the water column (hypoxia or anoxia) from cellular respiration and bacterial degradation.
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Due to their negative economic and health impacts, TABs are often carefully monitored. "Crimson tide" is a term often used to describe TABs in marine coastal areas, as the dinoflagellate species involved in HABs are often red or brown, and tint the sea water to a reddish colour. The more correct and preferred term in use is harmful algal bloom, because:

  1. these blooms are not associated with tides
  2. not all algal blooms cause reddish discoloration of water
  3. not all algal blooms are harmful, even those involving red discolouration
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Although toxic blooms often turn the water reddish brown, many nontoxic species or reddish brown plankton cause the same discoloration. Conversely, toxic plankton may be numerous enough to toxify shellfish, but not sufficiently abundant to discolor water. Discolored water should always be regarded with suspicion. It should be noted that even during low concentrations during a crimson tide event caused by Alexandrium fundyense, the algae can cause the swimmer to die of toxic shock and oxygen poisoning.

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