Practice question

Dinoflagellates cause harmful algal blooms termed red tides due to rapid proliferation producing discoloration of seawater reddish to brown. Genera like Karenia brevis synthesize brevetoxins, Gonyaulax produces saxitoxins causing paralytic shellfish poisoning and fish kills through neurotoxic effects. Blooms arise from eutrophication and warm stratification, releasing toxins accumulating in filter feeders leading to bioaccumulation. Green tides arise from Ulva, brown tides from Aureococcus. Red tide phenomenon ecologically important due to oxygen depletion, toxin bioaccumulation and human health impacts linked specifically to dinoflagellate overgrowth.