Florida's Red Tide

What is the primary organism responsible for Florida's red tides?

• Karenia brevis

• Cyanobacteria

• Diatoms

• Green algae

As the fish eats more and more of the toxin, what process occurs?

• slow death

• bioaccumulation

• biomagnification

• cell respiration

How do algal blooms primarily kill fish and other aquatic creatures by affecting oxygen levels?

• The algae directly consume all the oxygen.

• The algae release toxins that prevent oxygen absorption.

• Bacteria consume oxygen when decomposing dead algae.

• The algae block sunlight, preventing oxygen production.

What is a unique characteristic of brevetoxins that makes contaminated seafood dangerous even after cooking?

• They are highly acidic and corrosive.

• They are tasteless, odorless, and resistant to heat and acids.

• They cause immediate allergic reactions.

• They are only toxic when consumed raw.

Why do red tides affect organisms on land?

• The neurotoxins can be airborn due to wave action

• The nuerotoxins can wash up on the beach and touch people

• The protist swims up to people in the water and hides in their immune system

• Many beach goers are allergic to the red coloring

What year was the worse case of red tide in recent history?

• 2018

• 2020

• 2023

• 2025

Which of the following factors is suggested to potentially increase the severity or duration of red tides?

• Decreased ocean salinity.

• Colder ocean temperatures.

• Warmer waters from climate change.

• Reduced nutrient runoff from land.

Why is it so difficult to remove the red tide from the water?

• The algae and neurotoxin would have to both be removed

• As it is collected the dinoflagellate reproduction more rapidly

• The neurotoxin is too strong and would kill the people trying to remove it