ECOLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA RED TIDE DINOFLAGELLATE, KRYPTOPERIDINIUM

Wolny, J. 1,2 , Lewitus, A. 1,2 , Kempton, J. 1 & Willis, B. 21 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Research Institute, Charleston SC 29422 USA; 2 University of South Carolina, Baruch Institute, Georgetown SC USA 29440 Since 1998 the estuarine waters of South Carolina have been monitored for the dinoflagellate, Kryptoperidinium sp. (formerly Scrippsiella carolinium). This harmful algal bloom (HAB) species was first discovered in South Carolina waters in April 1998 when a red tide occurred in Bulls Bay, near McClellanville. Throughout the spring and summer isolated blooms of Kryptoperidinium were detected in South Carolina estuaries from McClellanville to Charleston. In 1999 blooms of Kryptoperidinium were reported in estuaries from Georgetown to Hilton Head starting in April. Monitoring efforts in 2001 have already shown the presence of this dinoflagellate in Murrells Inlet and Georgetown estuaries beginning in February. Currently, investigations are being conducted to determine bloom dynamics. In past years, bloom initiation occurred following rain events, which increased dissolved organic material loads. During blooms, Kryptoperidinium populations increased with decreases in DOC, DON, and DOP concentrations and increases in DIC concentrations, suggesting high heterotrophic capability. Kryptoperidinium red tides have occurred over a widespread area in South Carolina and have been reported worldwide. Morphology, taxonomy, and genetic research is being conducted to determine if different strains of the same cell are responsible for these widespread outbreaks or if there are morphologically similar, yet genetically different genera or species.