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Scientists: New England Summer Will Have "Moderate" Red Tide

 BOSTON (AP) - Scientists are predicting a "moderate" bloom of the toxic red tide in New England this summer, and say the same factors that held it in check last year could suppress it again.
 
The naturally-occurring algae produces a toxin that shellfish absorb, making them unsafe for people to eat, though it's not a danger to the animal.
 
Scientists at the federally-funded Gulf of Maine toxicity project say there's an abundant population of the cysts, or "seeds," that the algae blooms leave behind to restart the process annually. But they say it's a modest amount compared with recent years with major red tides.
 
They also say the coast is seeing the same warmer surface water conditions that suppressed what scientists predicted would be a severe outbreak last year.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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