Red, but Not Red Tide

It happens every year around this time. That rusty red color in the water.  Last year, it wasn't too bad. The year before, when it was really warm, it reminded me of tomato soup. Because of its red color, many are concerned that this is the toxic Redtide. Fortunately for us, it's not. When Red tide is present, there is no visible difference in the water. The only way to find out if Red tide is present it to contact the state Department of Health's Shellfish Hotline at (360) 374.5636. Others believe it's tannins and stains from a fresh delivery of cedar logs to the boom on the west side of the bay. It's not that either. 

The sunshine and warmer temperatures have provided the ideal environment for a bloom of zooplankton. If you remember the earlier post I made about bioluminescence, you'll remember the name Noctiluca scintillans. These are the plantkon that we are now seeing as reddish clouds in the water. Nontoxic and common to Puget Sound, their bloom is a byproduct of our summer weather. Though you may not want to be in the water with it, it won't harm you if you are.
A link to the WA Department of Ecology website that discusses blooms and the Marine Water Quality Monitoring program can be found here.