Many people are flocking to the Gulf Coast for spring break. However, toxic red tide algal blooms have put beachgoers and residents on alert.
In the Gulf of Mexico, red tide is caused by a microscopic organism called Karenia brevis. The organism was detected in 172 samples along Florida's Gulf Coast last week, according to Florida officials.
Dead fish and other marine life are washed ashore on beaches because of harmful algae. Red tide occurs when microscopic algae multiply to higher-than-normal concentrations, often turning the water red or brown.
