Nicole Flecchia

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.

Phytoplankton samples were collected on May 12, 2026 at Bullock’s Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.

On this day, the water temperature was 13.60 °C, the salinity was 22.93 PSU, and the chlorophyll a was 8.36 µg/L.

It was sunny and clear on this day. The qualitative tow net sample had a short filtration time and contained a large volume of copepods.

The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 749,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 673,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Silicoflagellate spp. at 40,000 cells/L, Skeletonema spp. at 13,000 cells/L, and Unknown Diatom spp. at 10,000 cells/L.

200x phase contrast image of Pediastrum spp.

Pediastrum is a genus of freshwater green algae found in lakes, ponds and along shores where water is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen. They are nonmotile and form flat colonies with concentric rings that resemble snowflakes. These groupings can both improve their buoyancy in the water column and help prevent predation.

Phytoplankton samples were collected on April 29, 2026 at Bullock Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.

On this day, the water temperature was 10.70 °C, the salinity was 24.63 PSU.

The qualitative tow net sample had a moderate filtration time. The filtrate was cloudy and reddish brown with some darker particulates.

The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 2,224,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 194,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Skeletonema spp. at 1,694,000 cells/L, Thalassiosira spp. at 128,000 cells/L, and Chaetoceros spp.at 92,000 cells/L.

200x phase contrast image of Asterionellopsis spp.

Asterionellopsis is a genus of neritic pennate diatom found in cold to temperate coastal waters. Their cells have two chloroplasts each and are joined by valve faces into star-shaped or spiraling chains.

Phytoplankton samples were collected on April 15, 2026 at Bullock Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.

It was sunny with light wind on this day. The water temperature was 12.66 °C, the salinity was 19.05 PSU, and the chlorophyll a was 15.54 ug/L.

The qualitative tow net sample had a moderate filtration time. The filtrate was cloudy and reddish brown.

The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 37,240,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 320,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Skeletonema spp. at 33,763,000 cells/L, Chaetoceros spp. at 1,653,000 cells/L, and Leptocylindrus spp. at 765,000 cells/L.

200x phase contrast image of Thalassiosira spp.

Thalassiosira is a large genus of mostly marine diatoms which are known for their bloom formations. They are responsible for significant algal blooms worldwide in temperate, boreal, and polar regions, particularly in layers underlying sea ice and in upwelling areas.