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Species composition and abundance of net phytoplankton in Virginian coastal waters, 1963–1964

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Chesapeake Science

Abstract

A submersible pump was used to obtain samples of net phytoplankton at specific depths from three stations positioned across the continental shelf off Chesapeake Bay. The study, conducted for nine months, yielded information on the succession and abundance of diatoms and dinoflagellates. Species of the genusCeratium were dominant in collections made in spring and summer, whileChaetoceros, Rhizosolenia andSkeletonema were most abundant during autumn. Compared to results of quantitative studies conducted elsewhere, the density of diatoms for all seasons studied was low. A severe drought prevailed in Middle Atlantic states prior to and during the course of the study. Though the nutrient cycle is not known for these waters, nutrient levels on the shelf were probably much depressed because of decreased river discharge.

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Author notes

  1. Richard A. Mulford

    Present address: Benedict Estuarine Laboratory, Academy of Natural Sciences, 20612, Benedict, Philadelphia, Maryland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, 23062, Gloucester Point, Virginia

    Richard A. Mulford & John J. Norcross

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  1. Richard A. Mulford
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  2. John J. Norcross
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Contribution No. 393 from the Virginia Insitutute of Marine Science.

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Mulford, R.A., Norcross, J.J. Species composition and abundance of net phytoplankton in Virginian coastal waters, 1963–1964. Chesapeake Science 12, 142–155 (1971). https://doi.org/10.2307/1350774

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