Why are the tidal zones around Ketchikan and Metlakatla red in color and why are the blooms so large? KRBD’s Maria Dudzak spoke with UAS Ketchikan professor Barbara Morgan, who specializes is biology, about the non-toxic phytoplankton causing the color change –  Noctiluca scintillans.

Blooms of the non-toxic phytoplankton Noctiluca scintillans along a Ketchikan shoreline (photo courtesy of Barbara Morgan).