Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

CS37 Zooplankton

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2001, Time: 11:30:00 AM

Location: Aztec

Lores, E, M, US EPA, Gulf Breeze, FL, USA, lores.emile@epa.gov

Murrell, M, C, US EPA, Gulf Breeze, FL, USA, murrell.michael@epa.gov

Stanley, R, S, US EPA, Gulf Breeze, FL, USA, stanley.roman@epa.gov

Marcovich, D, T, US EPA, Gulf Breeze, FL, USA, marcovich.dragoslav@epa.gov

Smith, L, M, US EPA, Gulf Breeze, FL, USA, smith.lisam@epa.gov

Craven, W, G, US EPA, Gulf Breeze, FL, USA, craven.george@epa.gov

ANNUAL CYCLE OF PHYTOPLANKTON, ZOOPLANKTON AND WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS ALONG A FIVE-STATION TRANSECT OF ESCAMBIA BAY, FL.

Phytoplankton, zooplankton and water quality parameters were monitored monthly along a 5-station transect in Escambia Bay (Pensacola, FL) from fall 1999 to fall 2000. Phytoplankton were size-fractionated into total, <20 micron, and <5 micron fractions prior to analysis of chlorophyll a. Results indicate that most of the phytoplankton in Escambia Bay are less than 5 micron in size. HPLC accessory pigments were used to analyze the phytoplankton community structure. HPLC data suggest a dominance of blue-green algae throughout the summer. Zooplankton samples were analyzed for biovolume, dry weight and taxonomic abundance. Peak densities, occurring during late spring and early fall, were approximately an order of magnitude higher than in earlier studies in nearby bayous. A severe drought across much of the Southeast caused salinity to remain above 15 at the mouth of Escambia River for more than 4 months. Seasonal variations in dissolved nutrients and particulate matter are also reported. This study is designed to provide insight into nutrient processing in Escambia Bay and effects of grazers on phytoplankton community structure.

This Session Listing

Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

Quicklinks