Saturday, August 31, 2013

LATE SUMMER PLANKTON

Plankton populations...both phytoplankton and zooplankton are most abundant in Spring and Summer months with an occasional peak in the Fall.  Some plankton members from Seacrest pier in Elliott Bay, Puget Sound in late August.  An abundance of chain diatoms, and some concentric diatoms and a scattering of zooplankton showed up in day and night plankton tows from the pier....which is usually crowded with anglers stalking the elusive salmon...Pink salmon this odd number year...perhaps 6 million will return to the Sound.

Diatoms, Copepod

Cypris stage of barnacle

Worm Larvae

Comb Jelly

Worm larva

Snail

Polychaete worm

P

Polychaete worm larva

Worm, Copepod

Barnacle larva

Barnacle larva

Copepods

Shrimp

Plankton

Cypris stage of barnacle

Worm Larva

Polychaete

Polychaete, copepod, snail

Amphipod

mixed plankton

Snail, clams
Sea Urchin larva

Copepods and snail

Polychaete