st. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – Researchers at the University of South Florida led a new study that first identified a virus associated with Karenia Brevis, a virus associated with the organism that causes the red tide.
Published in the American Microbiology Journal of Msphere Association, the study involved researchers testing water samples from southwest Florida, finding several viruses, including new species present in red tide flowers.
This finding sheds light on the environmental factors that lead to the growth of red tide flowers and marks an important step in a better understanding of the virus.
“We know that viruses play an important role in harmful algae flower dynamics, but we don’t know what viruses are associated with Karenia Brevis Blues.” “We’ve identified some viruses in the red tide flowers, so we can work to determine which viruses may affect these events.”
Red tide flowers are naturally occurring events driven by a variety of factors, such as ocean circulation, nutrient concentration, and climate change.
Karenia Brevis, a one-cell organism responsible for red tide flowers, can not only kill marine life, but also cause respiratory problems that ultimately affect coastal economies that are dependent on tourism and fishing.
The results of this study not only help predict the bloom cycle, but perhaps even provide an eco-friendly way to manage red tide flowers.
