Red Tide occurs when the microscopic algae, K. brevis, experiences  rapid population growth and blooms to concentrations of greater than 1,000 cells/L . During periods of high nitrate and phosphate concentrations in surrounding estuaries, these small algae sequester the excess nitrate and phosphate nutrients at a rate at which other marine vegetation species cannot compete. Red Tide poses a significant threat  to marine ecosystems due to damaging oxygen depletion, marine-species death, and deadly concentrations of brevetoxins, neurotoxins harmful to wildlife and humans. Similar situations have been plaguing the South China seas, where decades of pollution have caused hundreds of miles of dead-zones. Scientists in China have been utilizing seaweed G. parvispora as a biovalve in order to naturally filter out impurities within the water. Commonly found in areas with overly abundant nutrient levels, this species is capable of rapid nutrient uptake under ideal environmental conditions. Under high light and nutrient conditions, G. parvispora can potentially outcompete other species for nutrients due to its rapid sequestration abilities, without depriving waters of oxygen levels or secreting dangerous brevetoxins like that of K. brevis. If G. parvispora is introduced into a Red Tide simulated environment  the population levels of K. brevis will decrease as a result of competition with G. parvispora populations present within the Red Tide environment. While other research studying Red Tide has been conducted, no conclusive research has been able to determine if a competitor algae can successfully mitigate population levels of K. brevis and thereby prevent Red Tide blooms.