Long Term Dinoflagellate Bioluminescence, Chlorophyll, and Their Environmental Correlates in Southern California Coastal Waters

Seasonal Changes of Bioluminescence in Photosynthetic and Heterotrophic Dinoflagellates at San Clemente Island

“…G. polyedra was the principal dinoflagellate present, reaching concentrations of approximately 16,000 cells l -1 in January 1995, although increases in Protoperidinium spp. were also observed (Lapota et al, 1997). Heavy rainfall was recorded during this winter period (17-18 inches, as compared with the norm of 5-10 inches) and consequently extensive runoff was observed along the entire southern California coast.…”

“…Depending on the height of the tide, MOORDEX was usually at a depth of 2-3 meters below the sea surface (Lapota et al 1994a). A similar MOORDEX bathyphotometer was also deployed in San Diego Bay (SDB) from 1992-1996 for comparative coastal measurements of bioluminescence (Lapota et al, 1997). Plankton samples were always collected in the late afternoon.…”

“…Maximum bioluminescence (1 x 10 8 photons s -1 ml -1 or greater) was measured from March through September for 1993, May through June for 1994, December through May for 1995, and March through April for 1996. Minimum values less than 1 x 10 8 photons sec -1 ml -1 ) were measured in the winter (Figure 2) (Lapota et al, 1997).…”

“…Despite strong interest in short term process effects on dinoflagellates there have been few investigations on the seasonality of marine bioluminescence (Tett 1971;Bityukov et al 1967;Lapota et al 1997). Long term aspects of the development of bioluminescence are unknown for most oceans.…”

“…Bioluminescence was measured with a moored bathyphotometer (MOORDEX) hourly through February 1996. Other environmental parameters such as nutrients, chlorophyll, and associated plankton species were measured and collected on a monthly and quarterly basis ( Lapota et al 1997). In the present study, plankton samples were collected and tested for bioluminescence on a quarterly basis to: 1) determine which dinoflagellate species were bioluminescent and 2) observe differences in light output on a seasonal basis.…”