Notes on a Mesodinium rubrum red tide in San Francisco Bay (California, USA)

Journal of Plankton Research
By: , and 

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Abstract

Discrete red patches of water were observed in South San Francisco Bay (USA) on 30 April 1993, and examination of live samples showed that this red tide was caused by surface accumulations of the pigmented ciliate Mesodinium rubrum . Vertical profiles showed strong salinity and temperature stratification in the upper 5 m, peak chlorophyll fluorescence in the upper meter, and differences in the small-scale density structure and fluorescence distribution among red patches. Events preceding this Mesodinium red tide included: (i) heavy precipitation and run-off, allowing for strong salinity stratification; (ii) a spring diatom bloom where the chlorophyll a concentration reached 50 mg m −3 ; (ii) depletions of dissolved inorganic N and Si in the photic zone; and (iv) several days of rapid warming and stabilization of the upper surface layer. These conditions may be general prerequisites for M.rubrum blooms in temperate estuaries.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Notes on a Mesodinium rubrum red tide in San Francisco Bay (California, USA)
Series title Journal of Plankton Research
DOI 10.1093/plankt/16.9.1269
Volume 16
Issue 9
Year Published 1994
Language English
Publisher Oxford University Press
Contributing office(s) California Water Science Center, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
Description 8 p.
First page 1269
Last page 1276
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial San Francisco Bay
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