red tide

n.
A bloom of dinoflagellates that causes reddish discoloration of coastal ocean waters. Certain dinoflagellates of the genus Gonyamlax produce toxins that kill fish and contaminate shellfish.

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Sudden, unexplained increase in numbers of toxic organisms (dinoflagellates) in the sea which cause fish and shellfish feeding on them to become toxic.

A red tide occurs when there is a population explosion among toxic red dinoflagellates (members of the genera Gymnodidium and Gonyaulax, both protistans that have an unusual cellular plate or armor). The population explosion, referred to a as a "bloom," may tint the water orange, red, or brown and can be toxic to shellfish, birds, and humans who eat red tide-contaminated food.

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The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: seawater that is discolored by large numbers of certain dinoflagellates that produce saxitoxin

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