Harmful Algal Blooms Images

Did you know?...Gymnodinium breve, the common bloom species along the west coast of Florida, just had its name changed! This tiny toxic algae is now called Karenia brevis after Dr. Karen Steidinger. Dr. Steidinger is a world-renowned red tide researcher from the Florida Marine Research Institute. Having an organism named after you is quite an honor in the science world, even if you're named after an organism that can kill fish, contaminate shellfish and make humans feel sick! If you want to read up on the specifics of the name change, check out the November 2000 issue of the scientific journal called Phycologia.