Re: [Paddlewise] Eat Fish? Breath Air?

From: Elaine Harmon <eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu>
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 10:05:27 -0400 (EDT)
On Mon, 12 Jul 1999, Larry Bliven wrote:
> i've read that there is a toxin associated with some Red Tides that can
> become airborne. i recall that during the '70s some health officials in
> Florida used that as a reason to try to slow pumping untreated wastes
> offshore. those materials help feed  nasty critters associated with Red
> Tides.
> 
> can ciguatera in Red Tide go airborne and become a potential problem for
> folks living in coastal areas?

I've not heard of anything but saxitoxin (the usual red tide toxin) being
concentrated enough on occasion to pose a danger from aerosols in sea
water. (Maybe someone else can contribute more info.) Of course, now we
have pfiesteria toxin aerosols being dangerous in river and estuarine
areas.

Re toxin origins, there is some evidence accumulating that many if not all
of these marine toxins are actually elaborated by bacteria living in
various symbiotic relationships with the algae.


Elaine Harmon - eilidh_at_dc.seflin.org - eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu

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Received on Mon Jul 12 1999 - 07:04:56 PDT

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