Phytoplankton samples were collected on June 12, 2024 at Bullock Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection. Sonde data revealed the surface water temperature was 19.68°C, salinity was 24.22 psu, and chlorophyll a was 9.89 ug/L. The qualitative tow net sample had a short filtration time, and the filtrate was mostly clear. The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 12,732,000 cells per Liter. The most predominant phytoplankton genus was Skeletonema spp. at 12,408,000 cells/L. Other representative genera include Chaetoceros spp. and Leptocylindrus spp. Prorocentrum spp. (see 200x phase contrast image below) is a dinoflagellate genus containing several toxic and harmful species. P. micans is one of the most common species in the genus. Prorocentrum is found in cold, temperate to tropical waters. This genus forms extensive red tides in many parts of the world, though blooms are usually harmless. It may excrete substances that inhibit diatom growth, but these substances do not enter the food chain or affect organisms at higher trophic levels.
