Phytoplankton samples were collected on July 23, 2025 at Bullock’s Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.
The water temperature was 23.72 °C, the salinity was 28.61 psu, and the chlorophyll a was 7.18 ug/L.
The qualitative tow net sample had a medium filtration time. The filtrate was clear with a light brown greenish coloration. Many comb jellies were detected in this sample.
The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 4,386,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 40,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Cylindrotheca spp. at 2,055,000 cells/L, Skeletonema spp. at 860,000 cells/L, and Leptocylindrus spp. at 840,000 cells/L.
Protoperidinium spp. is a marine phytoplankton belonging to a family of armored dinoflagellates that are characterized by horns and spikes. They are heterotrophic predators who feed on other smaller organisms for nutrients. With the help of chloroplasts, these tiny creatures can produce their own nutrients with photosynthesis.