KBNERR Harmful Algal Bloom Updates

The phytoplankton in Kachemak Bay continue to be abundant in many areas over the past two weeks. In the Inner Bay there was an abundance of mixed diatoms, while the Outer Bay had Chaetoceros spp. dominating consistently over the past two weeks (Chaetoceros spp. also are diatoms).

As summer gets kicked off this weekend we want to take a moment to highlight the main goal of the program, which is to look for groups of phytoplankton that are known to carry toxins that can result in shellfish poisoning in humans and other animals.

For more information on this Phytoplankton Update and the Qualitative Analysis of Phytoplankton Data, click here.

Hello Everyone!

May is here and the phytoplankton have been abundant in many sub-bays over the past several weeks. During the first few days of May the phytoplankton in Homer Harbor were abundant with Thalassiosira sp. at bloom levels. Samples have also had many larvae from marine invertebrates including this larval form of a Polychaete species (segmented marine worm).

For more information on this Phytoplankton Update and the Qualitative Analysis of Phytoplankton Data, click here.

After a snowy winter, spring is here and time to share our first phytoplankton update of 2020! We collected weekly samples from the Homer Harbor on the weeks the harbor wasn’t frozen over, and what a sight that was! Throughout the winter months Homer Harbor had low numbers of phytoplankton, with a small increase in diatoms taking advantage of the longer days the past few weeks.

For more information on this Phytoplankton Update and the Qualitative Analysis of Phytoplankton Data, click here.

Our samples from the Homer Harbor were sparse over the last two weeks. Most of the species observed are represented by a single individual on the slide. Sparse samples during this period of the year are common; see the phenology charts below, the blue represents weeks of sparse phytoplankton.

For more information on this Phytoplankton Update and the Qualitative Analysis of Phytoplankton Data, click here.

Last week we saw the phytoplankton in Homer Harbor increase in diversity and abundance, especially the dinoflagellates. Dinoflagellates are a diverse group of single celled organisms that include Alexandrium and Dinophysis. The Greek root dinos, “whirling”, describes their distinctive swimming pattern when observed live under the microscope.

For more information on this Phytoplankton Update and the Qualitative Analysis of Phytoplankton Data, click here.

A variety of phytoplankton species are present in our samples this week at low levels. Homer Harbor will be sampled weekly throughout the winter and we will continue opportunistically taking phytoplankton samples at other locations.

For more information on this Phytoplankton Update and the Qualitative Analysis of Phytoplankton Data, click here.