Abstract |
The Pamlico River Estuary extends some 35 miles from Washington, N.C. to Pamlico Sound. The phytoplankton cycle of this estuary is completely dominated by dinoflagellates. Diatoms, however, become more and more important in the lower reaches of the river close to the point where it empties into Pamlico Sound. The dominant organism is Peridinium triquetrum, that creates a red tide during January, February, and March. The Peridinium is accompanied by other dinoglagellates. This bloom lasts until late March and then populations remain low until a late summer peak of algae dominated by G. aureolum, G. estuariale, K. rotundatum, Polykrikos sp., and Calycomonas ovalis. This increase takes place in late August and early September and is followed by a fall low that lasts until the early spring bloom begins in December or early January. This yearly cycle is similar to that found in several of the river estuaries that enter Chesapeake Bay. (Author) |