[Mike]

Hi Folks
Normally (pre-chemtrails), I would agree, a passing red tide is
fairly harmless. But the number of months and the extensive number
of locations around the country, of these various algea out-breaks.
The so called experts need to brush up on their science.
Naturally, these folks are interested in making money, that’s their
business ~ what they report might be our business.
Best to all,
Bridget
http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/res-sheets/redtide.html
Seeing Red: Rosenstiel School Team Addresses Harmful Algal Blooms
on Gulf Coast

Across the world, harmful algal blooms (HABs) appear to be on the
rise, both in frequency and intensity, and itís impacting our
health, economy, and marine life. Along Floridaís Gulf Coast, HABs
known as red tides continue to plague the region. Scientists at
Rosenstiel School are leading the team investigating the phenomenon
and its impacts on human health.

HABs are generally caused by a rapid, intense bloom of algae. In the
Gulf of Mexico, the algae are typically a single-celled organism
known as Karenia brevis. Red tides and algal blooms in general are a
natural phenomenon; the first scientific documentation of a red tide
occurred in Venice, Fla., in 1947. Anecdotal reports date back to
the mid-1800s, in which red tides were blamed for lining beaches
with thousands of dead fish and provoking human illness.
K. brevis, produces a potent neurotoxin that is released into the
water and often into the air. Finfish may be killed either by the
toxin or by low oxygen levels at the seafloor. Shellfish are
themselves apparently unaffected, however they do accumulate the
neurotoxin and thus pose a human health risk. Florida monitors
commercial shellfish beds, closing them to harvesting during red
tides.

Signs of neurotoxin poisoning are tingling in the mouth and fingers,
loss of coordination, hot and cold flashes, and diarrhea. People are
also at risk from inhaling airborne toxin when waves and winds carry
contaminated air onshore, and they may experience respiratory
irritation or have difficulty breathing. Generally these symptoms
are temporary, but for people with chronic lung disease, it can be
deadly. Harmful algal blooms now occur in nearly every coastal area
around the world, so the economic impact and health risks continue
to grow. In addition to health care costs, HABS impact commercial
and recreational fishing, tourism, food service industries and other
businesses located along the coast.

Rosenstiel School: A Leader in Red Tide Research

In 2004, the National Science Foundation and the National Institute
of Environmental Health Sciences formally recognized Rosenstiel
Schoolís leadership role in harmful algal bloom research. It
dedicated $5 million annually for the next five years to four Oceans
and Human Health Centers in the country — the Rosenstiel School
hosting the Center for Subtropical and Tropical Oceans and Human
Health Research. This center formalizes the schoolís ongoing
collaborative work in HABs, marine pathogens and the oceanís
potential for drug discovery.
Keeping a Watchful Eye…Everywhere

Satellite imagery from Rosenstiel Schoolís Center for Southeastern
Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CSTARS) provides real-time, high-
resolution imagery that can help build regional ìclimatologyî and
identify and track unusual conditions. Rosenstiel School researchers
also use this remote sensing to procure and analyze surface
meteorological data to get a better sense of the weather conditions
that seem conducive to red tides. Additionally, unique monitoring
equipment has been placed on channel markers and on boat keels that
can test water samples for K. brevis. This same equipment is planned
for an autonomous underwater vehicle as well. This monitoring helps
give commercial fishermen, businesses and citizens advanced warning
that red tide has entered the area and allows them to prepare.
Breathing Easier

For four years, an interdisciplinary, interagency team of scientists
has studied the health effects of aerosolized red tide toxins as
well as neurotoxic poisoning in humans who consume affected
shellfish. Because the symptoms can be associated with other
ailments and health care providers have only been reporting cases to
an official registry since 1999, this work has been pioneering.
Rosenstiel School has been instrumental in improving the science
behind treatments and prevention of red-tide related illness.
K. brevis: The Bad and the Good?

While all agree that K. brevis produces brevetoxin, the potent fish
killer and food poison, there remain many unanswered questions that
might be addressed at the molecular level. Thanks to new microarray
technology, Rosenstiel researchers can now study this organism and
its toxins at the DNA level. Working with their collaborators,
Rosenstiel researchers may reveal what factors help trigger and feed
blooms. And, just as many people were surprised that botulism would
be found to hold therapeutic potential, some see red tideís
brevetoxin as equally promising. Ironically enough, brevetoxin
derivatives have been patented to treat lung diseases, such as
cystic fibrosis.

Because of its multidisciplinary approach and its resolve to cull
experts and decisionmakers at government, academic, and
environmental organizations, Rosenstiel School is at the heart of
addressing the innumerable questions that red tide poses and
epitomizes the way ahead.