What is causing the phytoplankton increase in San Francisco Bay?
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Abstract
The largest living component of San Francisco Bay is the phytoplankton, a suspension of microscopic cells that convert sunlight energy into new living biomass through the same process of photosynthesis used by land plants. This primary production is the ultimate source of food for clams, zooplankton, crabs, sardines, halibut, sturgeon, diving ducks, pelicans, and harbor seals. From measurements made in 1980, we estimated that phytoplankton primary production in San Francisco Bay was about 200,000 tons of organic carbon per year (Jassby et al. 1993). This is equivalent to producing the biomass of 5500 adult humpback whales, or the calories to feed 1.8 million people. These numbers may seem large, but primary production in San Francisco Bay is low compared to many other nutrient-enriched estuaries.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Other Report |
| Title | What is causing the phytoplankton increase in San Francisco Bay? |
| Year Published | 2006 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | San Francisco Estuary Institute |
| Contributing office(s) | San Francisco Bay-Delta, Pacific Regional Director's Office |
| Description | 9 p. |
| First page | 62 |
| Last page | 70 |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Other Geospatial | San Francisco Bay |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |