Red-tide definition
A bloom of plankton, especially dinoflagellates, that causes a usually reddish discoloration of coastal ocean waters. Certain dinoflagellates produce toxins that contaminate shellfish, making them unsafe to eat, and can kill fish.
noun
A reddish discoloration of sea waters, caused by large numbers of red dinoflagellates (esp. genera Gymnodinium and Gonyaulax) that kill fish and other organisms by releasing poisonous products.
noun
A bloom of plankton, especially dinoflagellates, that causes a usually reddish discoloration of coastal ocean waters. Certain dinoflagellates produce toxins that contaminate shellfish, making them unsafe to eat, and can kill fish.
noun
A population explosion of certain species of dinoflagellates, a kind of protozoan found in plankton. The dinoflagellates color the water red or reddish-brown and secrete a toxin that kills fish. Red tide usually occurs in warm coastal waters.
An algal bloom of sufficient quantity to cause discoloration (often red) in a body of water; red tides can potentially cause irritation or death to exposed creatures.
noun
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Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
red-tide
Plural:
red-tidesOrigin of red-tide
- From red and tide.
From Wiktionary