Kayaking Day 2 in Red Tide

On Saturday, we went for our second kayaking lesson in the Pacific Ocean, in a quiet little cove. The instructors informed us that the reddish, brown color of the water was because of the "Red Tide." They said we'd be OK for our tipping the kayaks and getting in the water, a technique to be practiced that day. Yet they recommended a good shower at home following class. Hmmmm. That got my attention. Made me wonder. I do love a little good nature science now and then!

It was all something to do with very small, very important sea creatures that were multiplying so rapidly...called an algae bloom. A rare event that is not even connected to the tide. I read more information after a "Google" search. Here is some of the helpful information I found. The fascinating part for me is how it can glow in the dark. I want to go to the shore and look soon to see if I can see that event. The nasty part is it can be toxic if I consume shellfish who have consumed the algae. That won't happen!

More Useful Red Tide Information
The following information was adapted from correspondence from Peter Franks at Scripps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla, California: A periodic occurrence along the California coast is the appearance of water that has a red, brown or purple hue, commonly referred to as "red tide". This is caused by dense accumulations near the surface of dinoflagellates (think: tiny cellulose-covered balls with two little whips for propulsion). Many dinoflagellates are photosynthetic (make sugars from light and carbon dioxide), and bioluminescent (make their own light).

Each cell is about 30-40 microns across (there are 1000 microns in a millimeter, which is about the thickness of a dime). The cells have tiny sacs of enzymes that react when the cell is jostled (for example by the breaking surf). When the enzymes react, they give off a bluish flash of light. So our waves (and your footsteps on the beach; your hands and feet when you swim) will be adorned with gorgeous flashes of light at night.

The bioluminescence of these cells is on a circadian rhythm - they don't bother making light during the day because no one could see it. Try this to amaze your friends and children - get a clear jar or bottle, and fill it with some water from the surf zone (ask a friendly neighborhood surfer to fill it for you in deeper water, to get less sand in it). Take your bottle home, and wait until after the sun has gone down. Then take your bottle into a dark room (bathroom or closet with no windows). Wait for your eyes to adjust to the darkness (a minute or so), and then give your bottle a swirl. You should see a really amazing light show. For extra added excitement, add some vinegar to the bottle. You'll get a particularly bright flash (but then all the cells will die, so it only works once). The acid of the vinegar makes the enzymes react inside the cell, even without stirring.