Different terms employed to describe "red tides"

• Published in: Revista de biología tropical Vol. 51; no. 3-4; pp. 621 - 628
• Main Authors: Ochoa, J L, Nunez Vazquez, E, Saad, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: 01.01.2003
• Subjects: Marine
• ISSN: 0034-7744

An event characterized by sudden increase in phytoplankton population, in the sea or aqueous environment, is often designated by different Spanish terms that attempt to describe the nature, aspect, characteristics, and/or properties of such phenomena. In this communication, was discussed the convenience of reaching an agreement among the Spanish-speaking scientific community to use a simple Spanish term that could be much more informative when referring to Harmful Blooms (HABs), in general. Summarizing the different Spanish terms historically employed to describe the proliferation of noxious phytoplankton in the sea, was proposed "Proliferacion Microalgal Nociva" (PMN = HAB) as a term that, on the basis of its etymological meaning could be considered correct. Its use could help to avoid the prevailing confusion in our language caused by different misleading terms now employed when referring to a Harmful Algal Bloom event.