So while the jellyfish problem in California seems to be dying down, there is still a massive red tide problem. From Santa Barbara to San Diego, the slimy red tide has made waters murky for divers and ruined many a good wave for surfers. Red tides are caused by the bloom of microscopic phytoplankton who rabidly reproduce and turn the water a sickly red color.Normally, the red tides die down quckly, but this year, the plankton blooms have persisted almost four months, with little more than a few days respite between blooms. Experts say the tides are the result of nutrient-rich runoff from last winter's storms, but they are not sure. Whatever the case, it's bad news and one hopes the tides don't persist.
1. The only thing good about a red tide is that it is often bioluminescent. Go to the beach on a new moon and watch the green flicker shoot across the water as the waves crash down...
Posted at 8:31PM on Sep 7th 2005 by Eric Cheng