Red algae bloom at Coal Harbour, Vancouver

[Mr31415]

See this link for details. Seems we are experiencing a huge red algae bloom - most of the water around Stanley Park and Coal Harbour has turned blood red. I naturally took a sample and was surprised to discover that it does not appear red when viewed under the microscope. It does however strongly autofluoresce red/orange, and I presume the UV from the sun is exciting this autofluorescence in the cells in the ocean and causing the blood red colour.

Any idea of the genus?


20140712-DSLR_IMG_0013.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Red algae at Coal Harbour, Vancouver,60x/1.2*1.25, FLUO-C4


20140712-DSLR_IMG_0023-Edit.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Red algae at Coal Harbour, Vancouver,60x/1.2*1.25, FLUO-C6, HF C


20140712-DSLR_IMG_0054.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Red algae at Coal Harbour, Vancouver,60x/1.2*1.25,DIC


20140712-DSLR_IMG_0055.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Red algae at Coal Harbour, Vancouver,60x/1.2*1.25,BF


20140712-DSLR_IMG_0057-Edit.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Red algae at Coal Harbour, Vancouver,60x/1.2*1.25, FLUO-C6, HF C

To show some macro perspective, this is a quick photo I took with my iPhone:

IMG_1295.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr

 

[JaYbIrD1969]

Wow! Is it harmful to the aquatic life there?

 

[Mr31415]

According to the news reports no, and I did not smell any mass deaths.