Historical News
Phytoplankton Sampling
Phytoplankton samples were collected on October 30, 2024 at Bullock’s Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection. Weather conditions and Sonde data were not recorded on this day. The qualitative tow net sample had a moderate filtration time. The filtrate was slightly cloudy with some golden brown particulates. The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 260,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 100,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Chaetoceros spp. at 104,000 cells/L, Leptocylindrus spp. at 26,000 cells/L, and Skeletonema spp. at 18,000 cells/L. Proboscia alata, shown here in a 100x phase contrast micrograph, is a solitary or chain-forming diatom that can measure up to 1mm in length. They are identified by the presence of a proboscis with a truncated tip and offset claspers. These diatoms are an oceanic, temperate water species and are sometimes found near the coast.
Phytoplankton Sampling
Phytoplankton samples were collected on October 17, 2024 at Bullock’s Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection. It was windy and brisk on Narragansett Bay. Sonde data revealed the surface water temperature was 14.63°C, salinity was 30.01 psu, and chlorophyll a was 2.58 ug/L. The qualitative tow net sample had a quick filtration time and the filtrate was clear. The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 156,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 48,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Prorocentrum spp. at 38,000 cells/L, Leptocylindrus spp. at 16,000 cells/L, and Cylindrotheca spp. at 12,000 cells/L. Corethron hystrix, shown here in a 200x phase contrast micrograph, is a solitary species of centric diatom found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific, typically in the spring and fall. They have a unique pill shape and two rings of long spines directed towards one end, and a crown of shorter, hooked spines pointed in the opposite direction. Although they do not bloom in large numbers, it has been observed that they may cause physical obstructions in the gills of farmed salmon.
Phytoplankton Sampling
Phytoplankton samples were collected on October 3, 2024 at Bullock’s Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection. Weather conditions and Sonde data were not recorded on this day. The qualitative tow net sample had a quick filtration time. The filtrate was slightly cloudy and reddish brown with some particulates. The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 1,712,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 112,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Heterocapsa spp. at 1,232,000 cells/L, Prorocentrum spp. at 108,000 cells/L, and Leptocylindrus spp. at 100,000 cells/L. Chaetoceros socialis, shown here in a 100x phase contrast micrograph, is a species of diatom belonging to one of the most diverse genera of marine planktonic organisms. Due to their high growth rates, research on the use of Chaetoceros species in biotechnology is ongoing. They are currently used in commercial aquacultures and studies suggest that they have enormous potential for producing biofuel.
Phytoplankton Sampling
Phytoplankton Sampling
