Phytoplankton samples were collected on May 26, 2026, at Bullock’s Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.
On this day, the water temperature was 18.12 °C, the salinity was 26.71 PSU, and the chlorophyll a was 1.68 µg/L.
The qualitative tow net sample had a short filtration time, and was cloudy and light brown in coloration.
The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 2,932,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 846,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Dactyliosolen spp. at 1,742,000 cells/L, Gonyaulax spp. at 246,000 cells/L, and Skeletonema spp. at 34,000 cells/L.
200x phase contrast image of Dactyliosolen spp.
Dactyliosolen is a type of cylindrical diatom which can be found sporadically in coastal waters throughout the year. They may be capable of storing nutrients, which would make them adaptable to living in environments where nutrient availability is variable. After sedimentation, blooms of this diatom can inhibit growth of benthic shellfish by clogging their gills.