Long Island Proud: Dr. Rebecca Grella on a Possible LI Red Tide

Is a killer red tide like in Florida possible on Long Island? I wanted to know so I went to an expert.

I asked Dr. Rebecca Grella (PhD Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) is a red tide like in Florida at the moment possible on Long Island?

She said, “First we must remember that not all algal blooms are harmful! According to NOAA (National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration) less than one percent of algal blooms actually produce toxins.”

So I asked what causes harmful toxins? Her reply, “Harmful algal blooms or (HABS) are the result of species of algae that can have negative impacts on humans, marine and freshwater environments and coastal economies. Recently, in North America we have been aware of harmful algal blooms in Florida and here on Long Island. The common denominator:NUTRIENTS.”

Then Dr. Grella added, “Increased nutrients from runoff and leaching from septic systems, coupled with increased temperature creates the perfect storm for a bloom. Algal blooms do not all need to produce toxins in order to be harmful to an aquatic ecosystem. However, blooms that are not releasing toxins are creating anoxic conditions (without oxygen) by depleting oxygen from the water, thus resulting in “fish kills” which have been observed on Long Island.”

So what about the red tide in Florida?

Grella explained: “Red Tides also referred to as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) have killed large numbers of marine life in Florida to include but not limited to fish, dolphins, sea turtles and manatees. These red tides occur when microscopic algae multiply faster than normal. The red tide observed in Florida produces a neurotoxic chemical known as brevetoxin. The algal species Karenia brevis produces these toxins that cause respiratory irritation in humans (when aerosolized) and fish are unable to respire. The inability to respire is a direct result of the neurotoxic effect of this HAB.”

Has this happened ever on Long Island? Dr. Grella said, “Red tides have also occurred on Long Island and are also caused by dinoflagellates. When there are harmful blooms on long island particularly those caused by Alexandrium, the DEC will not allow shellfish to be removed from an ecosystem because this species produces another neurotoxic chemical known as saxitoxin. This toxin causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) and results when shellfish is ingested. The reaction in humans can vary depending upon the amount of the toxin consumed.”

So what happens when one consumes the harmful toxin?

Dr. Grella answered, “Many will experience tingling or numbness, swelling of lips and others difficulty breathing. The rust tide observed last week on Long Island is also a HAB. This HAB was caused by the dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides. These blooms are also redish-brownsih in color. FYI There are algal blooms that have occurred in Georgica pond that were the result of a blue green algae, absent this year but now in Wainscott. This is directly related to the curbing of fertilizers and updating septic systems. Additionally, the pond has been cut open to experience flushing.”

Finally I asked the big question. Can what is happening in Florida happen on Long Island?

Her reply was a shocking, “Never say never. WE do not has nearly as much nitrogen entering the system, but we are going to continue to see HABS on Long Island if we keep using fertilizers and we do not update septic system.

All photos provided by Dr. Rebecca Grella