Phytoplankton samples were collected on July 8, 2025 at Bullock’s Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.
It was sunny, hot, and humid on this day. The water temperature was 25.24 °C, the salinity was 27.85 psu, and the chlorophyll a was 5.55 ug/L.
The qualitative tow net sample had a quick filtration time. The filtrate contained seaweed and particulates and had a reddish brown coloration.
The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 875,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 268,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Prorocentrum spp. at 284,000 cells/L , and Thalassiosira spp. at 198,000 cells/L.
Rotifers of the subclass Monogononta are common metazoans found in freshwater, brackish and marine environments. Although they are small, ranging in size from 50–500 µm, they are extremely important in the transfer of energy from algae, microbes, and detritus to higher trophic levels in community food webs.