Red Tide
Red Tide chronicles the catastrophic impact of environmental change on marine life, capturing how algal blooms devastate Lake Merritt in Oakland, California.
I made these photos between August 14 and September 5, 2022. They document the progression of the Heterosigma akashiwo sub-variant algae. This algae absorbs significant oxygen levels in the water as it feeds and grows, ultimately triggering an apocalyptic marine life die-off just three weeks later. The consumption of oxygen at various depths caused species rarely seen, if ever, to rise to the surface, at first grasping for oxygen and, within 24 hours, floating lifeless.
Experts concluded that a critical factor contributing to this phenomenon is the high levels of nutrients in San Francisco Bay, one of the nation’s most nutrient-polluted bodies of water. This event is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for action to address the pressing issues of water pollution and marine life preservation.
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