February 17, 2011 – The Sunshine Coast of Florida, USA, has once again experienced a “red tide” phenomenon. At Lido Key Beach, the Mote Marine Laboratory assessed the airborne respiratory irritants on the beach as “strong”, with visitors experiencing coughing and other discomfort, and lifeguards needing to wear masks to protect themselves during their duties. Red tide is caused by a bloom of lumbar flagellate algae, which releases toxins that kill large numbers of marine organisms and can also threaten human health. Its occurrence has been linked to climate change, rising ocean temperatures, and agricultural pollution, with fertilizers and pesticides used in Florida’s agricultural production flowing into the ocean through rainwater, providing nutrients for the algae.
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