red tide
nounDefinition of red tide
: seawater discolored by the presence of large numbers of dinoflagellates (as of the genera Karenia, Gymnodinium, and Alexandrium) which typically produce a toxin poisonous especially to many forms of marine vertebrate life and to humans who consume contaminated shellfish — compare saxitoxin
Examples of red tide in a Sentence
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The previous year, 177 dolphins were found dead along Florida's southwest coast in another unknown mortality event, though NOAA reported that some tested positive for a toxin that causes red tide, a harmful algae bloom. — Scottie Andrew And Katherine Dillinger, CNN, "A $38,000 reward is being offered after a Florida dolphin was fatally speared in the head," 12 July 2019 Zero Hour’s Miami Climate Summit will serve as an act of resistance against rising sea levels, the destructive red tide, and gentrification in the Magic City. — Rachel Janfaza, Teen Vogue, "Zero Hour's Youth Climate Summit Is Coming to Miami to Spotlight the Threat of Rising Sea Levels," 9 July 2019 Ironically, dinoflagellates are also responsible for one of nature’s nastiest phenomena—red tides. — The Economist, "The bioluminescence people find so attractive is a defence mechanism," 21 June 2019 Officials are now trying to figure out why this year's red tide is so intense. — Travis Fedschun, Fox News, "Red tide along Florida's Gulf Coast leads Gov. Scott to declare state of emergency," 15 Aug. 2018 That is the longest stretch since the red tide that ran for about a year and a half in 2005 and 2006, scientists say. — Arian Campo-flores, WSJ, "Why the Red Tide Is Killing Florida’s Sea Turtles," 29 July 2018 The track was recorded for Copa Airlines as a send-off for the national team, known as la marea roja (the red tide). — Billboard Staff, Billboard, "2018 World Cup: Hear Anthems for Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Panama and More," 13 June 2018 The breathtaking light show began on Monday when patches of red tide began to appear along the coast. — Gary Robbins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "You've got to see this new video of the surf glowing off La Jolla due to bioluminesence," 11 May 2018 Scripps scientist Michael Latz said the red tide is due to massive numbers of dinoflagellates including Lingulodinium polyedra. — CBS News, "Bioluminescence from red tide: Algae bloom literally lighting up San Diego waves at night," 9 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'red tide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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