Editor's Summary
6 March 2008
Turning the tide in Florida
The 'red tides' or algal blooms cause by rapid accumulation of algae in surface waters are potentially hazardous. Florida red tides in particular are associated with the neurotoxin brevetoxin, produced by the marine algae Karenia brevis, which can be fatal to fish, birds and marine mammals. Bathers finding themselves in a red tide can suffer skin irritation and other reactions. Despite extensive monitoring there is still much to be learned about the origins and growth of red tides. As Mark Schrope reports, Florida's new Center for Prediction of Red Tides plans to raise the profile of red tide research and to improve forecasting accuracy.
News Feature: Oceanography: Red tide rising
Algal blooms can make life miserable for coastal dwellers and wreak havoc on marine ecosystems. Mark Schrope reports on Florida's efforts to predict these red tides.
doi:10.1038/452024a
