red tide

red tide
a brownish-red discoloration of marine waters caused by the presence of enormous numbers of certain microscopic flagellates, esp. the dinoflagellates, that often produce a potent neurotoxin that accumulates in the tissues of shellfish, making them poisonous when eaten by humans and other vertebrates.
[1900-05]

* * *

Discoloration of seawater caused by dinoflagellates during periodic blooms (population increases).

Toxic substances released by these organisms into the water may be lethal to fish and other marine life, and they irritate the human respiratory system. Coastal resorts sometimes close when breaking waves release the toxic substances into the air. The causes of red tide are uncertain; it may require the confluence of several natural phenomena, in which human influence may or may not play a part.

* * *

      discoloration of sea water (water bloom) usually caused by dinoflagellates (dinoflagellate), during periodic blooms (or population increases). Toxic substances released by these organisms into the water may be lethal to fish and other marine life. Red tides occur worldwide in warm seas. Up to 50 million cells per litre (quart) of the species Gymnodinium brevis caused a red tide off the Florida coast in 1947 and turned the water from green to yellow to amber; thousands of fishes died. A red tide along the Northumberland coast in England in 1968 was the cause of the death of many sea birds. Similar red tides, caused by Gonyaulax polyedra, have occurred off the California and Portuguese coasts. Toxins released into the water are irritating to the human respiratory system; they may become public health problems at coastal resorts when breaking waves release the toxic substances into the air.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Red tide — is a common name for a phenomenon known as an algal bloom, an event in which estuarine, marine, or fresh water algae accumulate rapidly in the water column, or bloom . These algae, more specifically phytoplankton, are microscopic, single celled… …   Wikipedia

  • Red Tide —   [ red taɪd, englisch], Biologie: Rote Tide …   Universal-Lexikon

  • red tide — n seawater discolored by the presence of large numbers of dinoflagellates esp. of the genera Gonyaulax and Gymnodinium which produce a toxin poisonous esp. to many forms of marine vertebrate life and to humans who consume contaminated shellfish… …   Medical dictionary

  • red tide — red′ tide′ n. mcr a brownish red discoloration of marine waters caused by a huge aggregation of flagellates, esp. dinoflagellates, that often produce a potent neurotoxin that contaminates shellfish • Etymology: 1900–05 …   From formal English to slang

  • red tide — ☆ red tide n. a reddish discoloration of sea waters, caused by large numbers of red dinoflagellates (esp. genera Gymnodinium and Gonyaulax) that kill fish and other organisms by releasing poisonous products …   English World dictionary

  • red tide — noun seawater that is discolored by large numbers of certain dinoflagellates that produce saxitoxin • Hypernyms: ↑seawater, ↑saltwater, ↑brine * * * noun : seawater discolored by the presence of large numbers of dinoflagellates (especially of the …   Useful english dictionary

  • red tide — n. a menstrual period. (Punning on the name of a tidal phenomenon where the water appears reddish owing to the presence of certain kinds of microscopic creatures.) □ Sorry, she’s down with the red tide and really prefers to stay home …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • Red Tide (Band) — Red Tide was a heavy metal band founded by Simsbury, Connecticut residents Jeff Wu (guitars/vocals), Jeff Bennett (bass guitar), and Justin Foley (drums)in the early 1990s. Later lineups of the band included Matt Blue Ouelette and Ian Kauffman on …   Wikipedia

  • red tide — /rɛd ˈtaɪd/ (say red tuyd) noun the red bloom of marine algae which produces neurotoxins that kill fish and contaminate shellfish, and which is carried in on the tide …  

  • red tide — a population explosion in marine plankton such as dinoflagellates that is toxic and fatal to fish. The colour of the tide can be red, pink, yellow, green, blue, purple, black or brown. See also brevetoxin …   Dictionary of ichthyology

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”