Phytoplankton samples were collected on August 21, 2024 at Bullock Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection. It was sunny and breezy on Narragansett Bay. Sonde data revealed the surface water temperature was 22.0°C, salinity was 27.1 psu, and chlorophyll a was 7.0 ug/L. The qualitative tow net sample had a quick filtration time, the filtrate was a light tan color. The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 433,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 35,000 cells/L. The two most predominant phytoplankton genera were Skeletonema spp. at 84,000 cells/L and Leptocylindrus spp. at 79,000 cells/L. Other representative genera include Ceratulina spp., and Cylindrotheca spp. Today’s featured 200x phase-contrast micrograph shows Chaetoceros curvisetus, a species of marine phytoplankton that is widely distributed and common to North Atlantic waters. Chaetoceros serves as an important food source within the water column and major carbon contributor to the benthic environment. Chaetoceros has been reported to contribute about 91% of total phytoplankton cells serving as an important primary producer within this area.
