New research reveals how the algae behind red tide
thoroughly disables – but doesn’t kill – other species of algae. The study
shows how chemical signaling between algae can trigger big changes in the
marine ecosystem.
Marine algae fight other species of algae for nutrients and
light, and, ultimately, survival. The algae that cause red tides, the algal
blooms that color blue ocean waters red, carry an arsenal of molecules that
disable some other algae.