1. ENSO phenomenon and toxic red tides in Mexico
- Author
-
José Luis Ochoa
- Subjects
“Red tides” ,harmful algal blooms ,HABs ,marine biotoxins ,toxic phytoplankton ,El Niño ,Geophysics. Cosmic physics ,QC801-809 - Abstract
El Niño provides a partial explanation of the spectrum of marine biotoxins (red tides) on the coast of Mexico. Over 500 human poisoning cases with 20 fatalities in the last 25 years, and mass mortalities of fish, sea birds, marine mammals, and marine turtles have been documented. However, the eventual effect of El Niño on the incidence, frequency and severity of harmful microalgal blooms is uncertain. Because of geographical position and socioeconomical conditions, the impact of harmful microalgal blooms in Mexico will be severe, and a study of red tides is justified.
- Published
- 2003