Diatom Reduces Red Tide Toxicity

Filed in archive Microbiology on August 23, 2008

Researchers have identified a diatom called Skeletonema costatum that can reduce the levels of the red tide's toxicity to animals and other algae as well.

"What we do know is that this diatom, S. costatum, is able to undermine these toxins produced by the red tide, as well as the brevetoxins that are known to kill vertebrate animals like fish and dolphins," said Kubanek.

These are findings summarized from two papers published in the journals Harmful Algae and the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B. Read the report here.

Image: Skeletonema costatum Credit: GATech