Phytoplankton samples were collected on August 19, 2026 at Bullock’s Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.
The water temperature was 24.59 °C, the salinity was 24.02 psu, and the chlorophyll a was 6.27 ug/L.
The qualitative tow net sample had a moderate filtration time. The filtrate was mostly clear with some large pieces of algae.
The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 353,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 240,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Prorocentrum spp. at 29,000 cells/L, Protoperidinium spp. at 14,000 cells/L, and Pennate Unknown spp. at 14,000 cells/L.
200x phase contrast image of Polykrikos spp.
Polykrikos spp. are unarmored dinoflagellates found in tropical to temperate marine waters. They often feed on diatoms as well as other dinoflagellates such as Ceratium and Gonyaulax. Their predation of Alexandrium species can contribute to the reduction of toxic algal blooms.