Potomac River fish kill

This news shouldn't be too surprising to marine scientists that work in the lower Potomac. Virginia and Maryland environmental agencies are investigating a large fish kill in the Potomac River. They have found the culprit:

"The river certainly doesn't look as bad as it did over the weekend," he said. That was when thousands of fish of all kinds washed up dead on the fringe of beach at the base of the cliffs. [...]

The fish, of many kinds and sizes, were apparently killed by an algae bloom, an explosion in the water of a huge cloud of microscopic creatures. The bloom turned the color of the six-mile-wide river from its normal majestic blue to brownish red, Parker said. Scientists in Maryland and Virginia have now identified some likely suspects. All are one-celled. Some are named karlodinium, heterocapsa and procentrum.

All are dinoflagellates, a class of algae with properties of both plants and animals. Dinoflagellates convert sunlight to energy like plants. But the creatures' tiny tales (flagella) enable them to move like animals. The good news, experts said yesterday, is that none of the organisms found so far in the Potomac are toxic to humans.[...]

"I only got a couple of hand dip nets full of dead fish, which is nothing unusual," he said.

Obviously, the dinoflagellates is capable of producing toxins that are harmful to fish. It is safe to say that these toxic organisms can be blamed on pollution. Just check the fish kill index. I enjoy fishing and 'gut n clean' the fish for dinner (oh bite me, TM). I do encourage recreational fisher(wo)men out there to be careful of their catch. Report to the authorities of any sightings of massive number of dead fish. Be responsible and take me fishing!

Disclaimer: this report has nothing to do with the drowning incident. In fact, this news was published a week ago.