| SS9.01 Ecosystem Science Practiced in an Urbanized Estuary: South San Francisco Bay |
| Griggs, R, B, University of San Diego, San Diego, California, USA, rgriggs@sandiego.edu |
| Kaufmann, R, S, University of San Diego, San Diego, California, USA, kaufmann@sandiego.edu |
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| TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL PATTERNS OF MEROPLANKTON IN MISSION BAY, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. |
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| Mission Bay is a highly modified Mediterranean estuary in urban San Diego, California. Freshwater enters the bay primarily via two creeks and a network of storm drains located in the eastern (back) portion of the bay. The eastern sections of the bay experience reduced rates of flushing, compared to areas near the mouth of the bay. This study examined temporal and spatial patterns of meroplankton through bi-weekly plankton collections at six sites within Mission Bay during a one-year period. Along with plankton samples, environmental data were collected, including temperature, salinity, turbidity, and concentrations of nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, silica). Results indicated that two types of cnidarian larvae, a bivalve veliger, and a species of Littorina dominated meroplankton populations. Overall, higher densities were observed more frequently near the mouth of the bay than at back bay sites. Sites in the eastern part of the bay displayed maximum meroplankton densities between August and October, whereas sites closer to the mouth of the bay supported high larval densities in April and May. |
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