Asterionella glacialis Castracane, a diatom species of marine phytoplankton, bloomed in the coastal waters of the northwestern Bay of Bengal during 24 March to 4 April 2004. This species dominated by 99% in cell concentration on 26 March 2004. During the bloom period, phytoplankton population density increased by three orders of magnitude, while the chlorophyll a concentration increased by 70 to 80 times relative to the pre-bloom situation. The blooming was associated with coastal upwelling and influenced water quality. Corresponding to the blooming period, satellite sensor-derived products of sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll a data were analysed to understand the coverage and dynamics of phytoplankton in the area.

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