Phytoplankton samples were collected on April 16, 2024 at Bullock Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection. It was a sunny and calm day on Narragansett Bay. Some lions mane jellyfish were detected. The qualitative tow net sample had a fast filtration time, and the filtrate was a clear yellow-brown color.
The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 1,038,000 cells per Liter. The micro flagellates were found at 32,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genus was Skeletonema spp. at 529,000 cells/L. Other representative genera include Leptocylindrus spp. and Chaetoceros spp. Actinoptychus spp. is a type of photosynthetic phytoplankton belonging to the centric diatom group. It is found in Narragansett Bay and widely distributed in spring and fall. It is identified by six radial sectors. The raised sectors can appear to look like a hazard sign, as seen in this 200x phase-contrast image.
