Open AccessA multi-species microalgae bloom in Bahia de La Paz, Gulf of California, Mexico (June 2008).
Author(s) -
Ismael Gárate-Lizárraga,
Christine J. BandSchmidt,
Fernando Aguirre-Bahena,
Tanos Grayeb del Alamo
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
cicimar oceánides
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2448-9123
pISSN - 1870-0713
DOI - 10.37543/oceanides.v24i1.50
Subject(s) - bloom , phytoplankton , ciliate , red tide , upwelling , bay , oceanography , algal bloom , heterosigma akashiwo , biomass (ecology) , environmental science , chlorophyll a , biology , ecology , botany , geology , nutrient
Red tide patches were observed in Bahía de La Paz in June 17 and 18 of 2008. According to temperature and wind data this bloom occurred under upwelling-like conditions. Examination of the red tide samples showed the ciliate Myrionecta rubra and the naked dinoflagellates Gyrodinium instriatum and Katodinium glaucum as the main species responsible for this bloom. Total density (microalgae and ciliate) at the sampling stations was similar on both days, varying from 4607 × 103 cells L-1 to 4976 × 103 cells L-1 on the first day, and from 4172 × 103 cells L-1 to 5024 × 103 cells L-1 on the second day. Phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) observed during the first day of the bloom was 1.5 mg m-3. Dinoflagellates and diatoms were the most numerically important phytoplankton groups. The phytoplankton community showed a high speciesrichness, particularly heterotrophic dinoflagellates and ebridians. The ecological importance of theheterotrophic component of naked dinoflagellates and the ebriids for this bay is discussed.