An Annual Phytoplankton Study in Coastal Waters off Eastern Long Island (Block Island Sound)

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Abstract
Water samples were taken twice a month for 13 mo. in neritic waters off eastern Long Island. The purpose of the study was to investigate the annual phytoplankton cycle and related physical and chemical parameters associated with phytoplankton ecology. Seawater temperatures ranged between 1-22.degree. C, salinities were between 27.7-31.7.permill., and pH averaged 7.83. Nitrate-N values may be close to limiting during the period from late May-early July; however, P levels appear to be satisfactory for phytoplankton growth. O2 readings were usually > 5.00 ml l-1, while vitamin B12 values averaged close to those found by others for coastal waters. Measurements of the phytoplankton included cell counts, chlorophyll a and Shannon species diversity index. A total of 125 spp. of planktonic algae were identified with the Bacillariophyta and Pyrrophyta contributing 93 and 25 spp., respectively. In terms of cell counts, Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cleve was the most numerous taxon; however, it was surpassed by Thalassiosira nordenskioldii Cleve and Ceratium tripos (Mull.) Nitzsch in terms of biomass.

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