Dr. Emily Hall researching ocean acidification and climate change conditions on corals using a sea anemone as the model organism in the OASys lab on Tuesday, March 21st, 2017.
A pioneering study led by Mote Marine Laboratory, in collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWC-FWRI) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), has uncovered a potential critical link between harmful algal blooms (HABs) and acidification in Florida’s estuaries.
The study reveals that distinct acidification events occurred following red tide blooms, and the growth of Karenia brevis (commonly referred to as Florida red tide) may contribute to ocean acidification and significant changes in water chemistry. This finding underscores the need for continuous monitoring to better understand and manage the interaction between HABs and acidification in coastal ecosystems.
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By analyzing the growth and decomposition of algal cell communities during blooms, the study revealed that biological processes play a significant role in altering water chemistry. These processes can sometimes intensify water acidity, a phenomenon closely tied to harmful algal blooms.
“This study highlights the importance of understanding how elevated CO2 affects red tide growth in natural ecosystems,” said Dr. Emily Hall, Senior Scientist and Manager of Mote’s Ocean Acidification Research Program. “By doing so, we can better anticipate and mitigate the impacts of harmful algal blooms on coastal communities.”
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By analyzing how red tide affects water chemistry, researchers have provided valuable insights into the biological and chemical processes driving acidification. Seasonal changes, such as increased carbon and alkalinity during dry periods, further emphasize the complexity of these interactions.
“Our study clearly highlights the important link between red tide and ocean acidification, but also indicates a need for much more clarity on the impacts of this connection,” said Dr. Michael P. Crosby, President and CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory. “Continuous sampling and sensor deployment are essential to understanding the relationship between K. brevis and acidification.”
The findings highlight the critical need for adaptive management strategies to protect Florida’s estuaries from the dual threats of harmful algal blooms and acidification.
The full study, titled Nutrient and Carbonate Chemistry Patterns Associated with Karenia brevis Blooms in Three West Florida Shelf Estuaries (2020–2023), is available in Frontiers in Marine Science.
Kathryn Gentile, More Marine Laboratory, 13 January 2025. Press release.
