2014
Red Tide UAE
Magnetic Technologies
solution to minimising
&
shielding from the
Red Tide Algae
MagTech [v2]
6/11/2014
Understanding The Red Tide Algae Threat & Solution
Page 2 of 4
Red tide is a common name for a phenomenon
known as an algal bloom (large concentrations of
aquatic microorganisms) when it is caused by a few
species of dinoflagellates and the bloom takes on a
red or brown color. Red tides are events in which
estuarine, marine, or fresh water algae accumulate
rapidly in the water column, resulting in coloration
of the surface water. It is usually found in coastal
areas.
These algae, known as phytoplankton, are singlecelled protists, plant-like organisms that can form
dense, visible patches near the water's surface. Certain species of phytoplankton, dinoflagellates,
contain photosynthetic pigments that vary in color from green to brown to red.
When the algae are present in high concentrations, the water appears to be discolored or murky,
varying in color from purple to almost pink, normally being red or green. Not all algal blooms
are dense enough to cause water discoloration, and not all discolored waters associated with
algal blooms are red. Additionally, red tides are not typically associated with tidal movement of
water, hence the preference among scientists to use the term algal bloom.
Some red tides are associated with the production of natural toxins, depletion of dissolved
oxygen or other harmful effects, and are generally described as harmful algal blooms. The most
conspicuous effects of these kinds of red tides are the associated wildlife mortalities of marine
and coastal species of fish, birds, marine mammals, and other organisms.
Red tide is a colloquial term used to refer to one of a variety of natural phenomena known as a
harmful algal blooms or HABs. The term red tide specifically refers to blooms of a species of
dinoflagellate known as Karenia brevis.
Habitat of causative organism (algae):
In its normal environment, K. brevis will move in the
direction of greater light and against the direction of
gravity, which will tend to keep the organism at the
surface of whatever body of water it is suspend within.
Cells are thought to require photosynthesis to obtain
nutrition. Its swimming speed is about one metre per
hour. K. brevis is the causative agent of Red Tide, when
K. brevis has grown to very high concentrations and the
water can take on a reddish or pinkish coloration.
Environmental condition that causes Red tide:
Factors that are especially favourable include warm surface temperatures, high nutrient content,
low salinity, and calm seas. Rain followed by sunny weather in the summer months is often
associated with red tide blooms. The occurrence of red tides in some locations appears to be
entirely natural while in others they appear to be a result of increased nutrient loading from
human activities. In addition, algae related to red tide can spread or be carried long distances by
winds, currents, storms, or ships.
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Understanding The Red Tide Algae Threat & Solution
Page 3 of 4
Effects:
Seafood:
A few marine animals accumulate these toxins. Shellfish, including hard-shell clams, soft-shell
clams, oysters, mussels and scallops, are particularly prone to contamination as they feed by
filtering microscopic food out of the water. If toxic planktonic organisms are present, they are
filtered from the water along with other nontoxic foods. Whelks and moon snails can also
accumulate dangerous levels of the toxin during red tide as they feed on contaminated shellfish.
During red tide blooms, hard-shell clams, soft-shell clams, oysters, mussels, whelks, and moon
snails harvested from areas affected by the blooms are not safe to eat.
Fish kills:
Red tide algae make potent natural toxins. It is unknown why these toxins are created, but some
can be hazardous to larger organisms throught the processes of biomagnification and
bioaccumulation. Grazers such as fish and krill are unaffected by the toxins, so as they eat the
algae the toxins are concentrated and accumulate to a level that is poisonous eat to organisms
that feed on them. Large fish kills and several mammalian diseases and deaths have been
attributed to consumption of shellfish during red tide algal blooms.
Effect on humans:
Consumption of seafood from the red tide areas may cause:

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) - This disease is caused by the production of
saxitoxin by the Alexandrium species. It is common along the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts in the US and Canada. Poisoning occurs when one ingests shellfish contaminated
with PSP toxins causing disruption of nerve function and paralysis. Extreme cases may
result in death by asphyxiation by respiratory paralysis.

Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) - This disease is caused by the Dinophysis
species. It generally occurs in Japan and Europe, but it has also been found in other
countries such as Canada, the US, Chile, New Zealand, and Thailand. Symptoms of
DSP include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and cramps. DSP is generally
not lethal.

Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) - This disease, which has been found along the
eastern Canadian coast, is caused by domoic acid producing planktonic and benthic
algae, including Pseudo-nitzschia pungens forma. Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries and
Amphora coffaeformis. It can also be found in soft shell clams and blue mussels infected
by Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima. Gastric and neurological symptoms include dizziness,
disorientation and memory loss.
Conclusion:
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Red tide is a colloquial term used to refer to one of a variety of natural phenomena known as a
harmful algal blooms or HABs.
The term red tide specifically refers to blooms of a species of dinoflagellate known as Karenia
brevis. K. brevis will move in the direction of greater light and against the direction of gravity,
which will tend to keep the organism at the surface of whatever body of water it is suspend
within.
They have two flagellum one longer than the other. The larger moves in a whip like manner
and propels the organism forward and the other flagellum acts as a rudder to steer the
organism in the direction it wishes to travel.
Karenia brevis, needs three components to form a bloom.
o The first is biology, the organism must be present in the water.
Magnetic Technologies L.L.C. Al Gurg Building Oud Metha Dubai U.A.E. www.magneticeast.com +9713966639
Understanding The Red Tide Algae Threat & Solution
Page 4 of 4
o
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The second is the correct chemistry, nutrients that it needs to grow primarily nitrogen
(N) and phosphorus (P), sufficient to support high biomass blooms of the red tide
dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, has remained problematic [1].
o And the third component is the right physical conditions have to be right, especially
favourable include warm surface temperatures, high nutrient content, low salinity, and
calm seas.
Rain followed by sunny weather in the summer months is often associated with red tide
blooms.
K. brevis, produces brevetoxins that can affect the central nervous system of fish and other
vertebrates, causing these animals to die.
Wave action can break open K. brevis cells and release these toxins into the air, leading to
respiratory irritation.
The red tide toxins can also accumulate in molluscan filter-feeders such as oysters and clams,
which can lead to Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning in people who consume contaminated
shellfish.
Proposal
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Booms spraying magnetised water creating a safe zone could be set up in conjunction with
the use of an MT boat system which would contribute to controlling the greater density of
the travelling sea of algae outside of the booms.
Magnetic Treatment can potentially limit the ammoniacal nitrogen content available to K.
Brevis,it is therefore repelled from entering the magnetised water zones between the booms
Magnetized water changes the growth condition of algae by oxidizing the water.
Further Enquiries:
Science Reference Documents and IP source may be obtained from:
Web: www.magneticeast.com
Magnetic Technologies L.L.C.,
2nd Floor, Al Gurg Building, [10th Street Roundabout]
Oud Metha, Dubai, UAE
P.O Box 27559
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 3966639
Fax: +971 4 3966638
Email: [email protected]
Magnetic Technologies L.L.C. Al Gurg Building Oud Metha Dubai U.A.E. www.magneticeast.com +9713966639