SoundHAB: Alexandrium bloom (?) and low DO

[Jack Rensel]

In backwaters around Anacortes including Cap Sante Head, Padilla Bay, parts
of Guemes Channel and possibly north and east of Guemes Island, we have been
seeing intensely brick red colored water with dinoflagellates and some
pennate diatoms.  

 

With fog yesterday (Friday) morning and strong wind in the afternoon in the
main channels it was hard to say how extensive the bloom may be.  However, a
technician at Deepwater Bay fish farm counted 200,000 cells/L of Alexandrium
at the farm site this morning (Saturday) and reported strongly colored water
northward to Clarks Point at least so this may involve Samish Bay and the
bays up north too.    

 

Concurrently, very low (< 4 mg/L) dissolved oxygen has been prevalent,
particularly at night in the area, suggesting some oceanic upwelling out of
the Strait of Juan de Fuca. 

 

When we have seen these types of events in the past, sometimes PSP toxins
have increased dramatically, so it should be watched. 

 

Thanks to Kevin Bright and Chris Schmaus, AGS, for their  help in these
observations. 

 

Jack

 

J.E. Jack Rensel Ph.D.

Rensel Associates Aquatic Sciences

4209 234th St. N.E.

Arlington WA 98223

360-631-6538

Jackrensel at att.net

 

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