KBNERR Harmful Algal Bloom Updates

This will be the last KBNERR Phytoplankton Update for 2021. This week we saw an increase in abundance of Pseudo-nitzschia at two sample locations, Eldred passage and Peterson Bay. Pseudo-nitzschia sp. can produce domoic acid and cause amnesiac shellfish poisoning when toxic shellfish are consumed. Cell counts for all three species of concern are used to determine abundance classification. It is not unusual for Pseudo-nitzschia to reach these density levels in Kachemak Bay during the sampling season. To date in Alaska there are no reported cases of amnesiac shellfish poisoning in humans.

Additional information, including qualitative analysis of phytoplankton data, is available in the Phytoplankton Update for Oct 1st – Oct 7th.

Fall is here, the trees have on their golden cloaks and frosting mornings are becoming common throughout the bay. We are also nearing the end of the season for KBNERR Weekly Phytoplankton Updates as temperatures drop and days become shorter. For this week we can share that we saw a variety of diatoms in Homer Harbor and last week phytoplankton in Seldovia Harbor were sparse.

Additional information, including qualitative analysis of phytoplankton data, is available in the Phytoplankton Update for Sept 17th – Sept 30th.

This week Homer Harbor has sparse phytoplankton and is the only phytoplankton sample we have to report on. With the change in weather and season we anticipate few samples will be collected in the remaining weeks of September, therefore we shall switch to biweekly updates. The next KBNERR phytoplankton update will be sent on September 30^th.

Additional information, including qualitative analysis of phytoplankton data, is available in the Phytoplankton Update for Sept 10th – Sept 16th.

This week inner bay phytoplankton samples are sparse.  This sparsity of phytoplankton in early September at inner Kachemak Bay sites has been consistently observed since 2018. Late September phytoplankton abundance and species composition has been less consistent during the same time. We shall see what the phytoplankton do this year and will keep you all informed with Weekly Updates through the end of September.  

Additional information, including qualitative analysis of phytoplankton data, is available in the Phytoplankton Update for Sept 3rd – Sept 9th.

This week in the Homer Harbor Skeletonema sp. is still at bloom level. Other inner bay sites, China Poot and Halibut Cove, Skeletonema sp. are the most dominant phytoplankton this week although not blooming at those locations. Weekly phytoplankton updates will continue through September.

Additional information, including qualitative analysis of phytoplankton data, is available in the Phytoplankton Update for Aug 27th – Sept 2nd.

This week we saw the diatom Skeletonema sp. blooming in Homer Harbor and Peterson Bay. Skeletonema sp. are found worldwide and often present in Kachemak bay, cells are connected to adjoining cells by “knuckles” on threads extending between the cells. Skeletonema sp.are considered a good food source for oysters and zooplankton.

Additional information, including qualitative analysis of phytoplankton data, is available in the Phytoplankton Update for Aug 20th – Aug 26th.