rsn48
Guru
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2019
- Messages
- 2,019
- Location
- Canada
- Vessel Name
- Capricorn
- Vessel Make
- Mariner 30 - Sedan Cruiser 1969
I was in another thread where the topic of Red Tide came up and I take knowledge about red tide for granted. But it occurred to me there are others new to the west coast or new to boating and water activities in and around our coves, bays, beaches, etc.
So from Wiki:
"Red tide is a common name for algal blooms, which are large concentrations of aquatic microorganisms, such as protozoans and unicellular algae (e.g. dinoflagellates and diatoms). The upwelling of nutrients from the sea floor, often following massive storms, provides for the algae and triggers bloom events. Harmful algal blooms can occur worldwide, and natural cycles can vary regionally.[1]
The growth and persistence of an algal bloom depends on wind direction and strength, temperature, nutrients, and salinity.[1] Red tide species can be found in oceans, bays, and estuaries, but they cannot thrive in freshwater environments.[2][1] Certain species of phytoplankton and dinoflagellates found in red tides contain photosynthetic pigments that vary in color from brown to red. When the algae are present in high concentrations, the water may appear to be discolored or murky. The most conspicuous effects of red tides are the associated wildlife mortalities and harmful human exposure. The production of natural toxins such as brevetoxins and ichthyotoxins are harmful to marine life."
The general rule along coastal BC is that any month with an "r" in it, the water is okay. Any month without the letter "r", the water may or may not be okay.
You can google BC closures due to red tide which enters bivalve shellfish and thus eating those can be problematic:
https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/contamination/index-eng.html
And a video that will help inform:
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/n...-bc-coast-forces-toxin-closures-for-shellfish
So from Wiki:
"Red tide is a common name for algal blooms, which are large concentrations of aquatic microorganisms, such as protozoans and unicellular algae (e.g. dinoflagellates and diatoms). The upwelling of nutrients from the sea floor, often following massive storms, provides for the algae and triggers bloom events. Harmful algal blooms can occur worldwide, and natural cycles can vary regionally.[1]
The growth and persistence of an algal bloom depends on wind direction and strength, temperature, nutrients, and salinity.[1] Red tide species can be found in oceans, bays, and estuaries, but they cannot thrive in freshwater environments.[2][1] Certain species of phytoplankton and dinoflagellates found in red tides contain photosynthetic pigments that vary in color from brown to red. When the algae are present in high concentrations, the water may appear to be discolored or murky. The most conspicuous effects of red tides are the associated wildlife mortalities and harmful human exposure. The production of natural toxins such as brevetoxins and ichthyotoxins are harmful to marine life."
The general rule along coastal BC is that any month with an "r" in it, the water is okay. Any month without the letter "r", the water may or may not be okay.
You can google BC closures due to red tide which enters bivalve shellfish and thus eating those can be problematic:
https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/contamination/index-eng.html
And a video that will help inform:
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/n...-bc-coast-forces-toxin-closures-for-shellfish
