TX - What is red tide? Alert issued for toxic blooms in Texas Gulf Coast
The toxic algal blooms can cause respiratory and sinus irritation in humans, according to park officials.
If you're heading to the beach this weekend, you may want to reconsider your plans. A red tide event is currently impacting the Texas Gulf Coast, including Galveston, Brazoria and Matagorda Counties, where fish kills have been reported, according to wildlife officials. On Thursday, the Brazoria County Parks Department (BCPD) announced the red tide is moving southwest through prevailing ocean currents.
"Concentration of the algae that were northeast offshore of Galveston, are now moving along Brazoria County coastlines of Surfside and Quintana Beaches, as well as across area bay networks, the Intercoastal Waterway and the Brazos and San Bernard River delta regions," BCPS wrote. "Matagorda County beaches and bays can expect likely red tide impacts soon, if not already." The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science also issued an alert on Thursday due to the harmful red tide blooms.
A red tide, or a harmful algae bloom, is a naturally-occuring, higher-than-normal concentration of the microscopic algae Karenia brevis, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. This algae produces a toxin that affects the central nervous system of fish so that they are paralyzed and cannot breathe, often resulting in dead fish washing up on beaches.
The phenomenon is named for the red, rust-colored appearance of the water caused by blooms of microalgal species. A similar coloring is often left on beach sand and tide lines, according to BCPD. It can also be harmful to humans. "Although the long-term health effects for people exposed to red tide are largely unlikely, those standing near the water's edge frequently experience respiratory/sinus irritation, discomfort and cough symptoms when exposed to the aerosolized algae toxins that disperse when waves crash onto beaches and shorelines," BCPD said. "Brazoria County Park staff experienced such symptoms this morning when checking on beach conditions."
Photos shared by BCPD showed dead fish on Brazoria County beaches and the San Bernard River delta area.
