Week of March 6, 2023

Santa Cruz Wharf

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: Rare
– Alexandrium: Rare
– Dinophysis: Rare
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
Rainy and cold this morning at the wharf.  There was a dramatic decrease in detritus/debris this week and the net tow was mostly phytoplankton (finally!).  Phytoplankton biomass increased and the assemblage remains mostly diatoms and mostly Chaetoceros.  Diatom diversity remained high this week.  Alexandrium and Dinophysis popped up in the observations.  Pseudo-nitzschia were seriata size and are likely either P. australis or P. multiseries.  Alexandrium also showed up in the probed counts.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Alexandrium
R: Dinophysis
R: Prorocentrum
R: Protoperidinium
R: Ceratium
R: Gymnodinium

Diatoms:
A: Chaetoceros
C: Thalassiosira
C: Skeletonema
P: Detonula
P: Ditylum

R: Lauderia
R: Thalassionema
R: Guinardia
R: Coscinodiscus
R: Pleurosigma
R: Asterionellopsis
R: Eucampia
R: Odontella
R: Stephanopyxis
R: Asteromphalus
R: Pseudo-nitzschia
R: Lithodesmium
R: Entomoneis

Other:
R: Ebria
R: Dictyocha

* Environmental Information *
Time: 8:30 am
Collector: M. Conci

Water Conditions (SCW)
Water Temperature: 10.0 C
Water Conditions: Rippled
Water Color/Code: Blue/green, 10GY 3/4 (#29)
Water Visibility: 4 ft
Tide: Rising, High – 10:32, 4.8 ft
Surf Report: WNW swell, 3-4 ft

NDBC buoy 46042
– Significant wave height: 5.9 ft
– Swell height/direction: 4.3 ft, NW
– Wind wave height/direction: 3.6 ft, NW

Weather Conditions (KudelaHawk)
Sky: Rainy
Air Temperature: 43.9 F (6.6 C)
Wind: 11 mph, W Solar radiation: 53 watts/m^2

Monterey Wharf II

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: Rare
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: Rare
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
This morning the sky was filled with dark gloomy clouds. The surface of the water was calm (almost glassy) with a very slight breeze. Halfway through sampling, it started to downpour and the surface of the water was no longer calm. There were no boats docked nearby. The dock was still wet from the rain last night/earlier this morning. The water this week was slightly bluer than last week with a visibility of 5.75m. Chlorophyll increased from last week. The HAB species that were present in the water this morning included P. nitzschia and Dinophysis.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Prorocentrum spp.
R: Dinophysis spp.
R: Ceratium spp.
R: Protoperidinium spp.

Diatoms:
A: Chaetoceros spp.
P: Thalassiosira spp.
R: Coscinodiscus spp.
R: Pseudo-nitzschia spp.
R: Ditylum spp.
R: Guinardia spp.
R: Pleurosigma spp.
R: Rhizosolenia spp.
R: Thalassionema spp.
R: Skeletonema spp.
R: Melosira spp.
R: Tropidoneis spp.
R: Lauderia spp.
R: Navicula spp.
R: Cylindrotheca spp.
R: Licmophora spp.
R: Odontella spp.
R: Asterionellopsis spp.
P: Detonula spp.
R: Eucampia
R: Entomoneis
R: Actinoptychus

Others:
R: Dictyocha spp.

Zooplankton:
R: fecal pellets, nauplii, tintinnids, calanoids, fish larvae, eggs

* Environmental Information *
TIME: 0706 PT
COLLECTOR: Hannah McGrath

Water Temperature: 10.72°C
Water Conditions: Ripples from downpour
Water Color: 5G 2/6
Visibility: 5.75 m
Tide: Rising, 0.79m, high at 1036 h
Chlorophyll: 13.132mg/m^3 by in vivo RFU

Sky: sunny/ clear skies, 90% cloud
Air Temperature: 8.89°C
Wind: S, 3.58 m/S

Rare (R): <1% ~~~ Present (P): 1 – 9% ~~~ Common (C): 10 – 49% ~~~ Abundant (A): >= 50%

Week of February 27, 2023

Santa Cruz Wharf

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: Rare
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: None
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
Another cold and windy morning at the wharf.  Net tow remains mostly detritus/debris, but the phytoplankton biomass increased this week.  Phytoplankton assemblage was mostly diatoms and diatom diversity was strikingly high (almost double the # of genera seen last week).  Chaetoceros and Thalassiosira remain the most abundant.  Pseudo-nitzschia in the net tow were seriata size and based on the probed counts they were likely P. multiseries.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Akashiwo
R: Protoperidinium
R: Ceratium
R: Gymnodinium

Diatoms:
C: Chaetoceros
C: Thalassiosira
C: Thalassionema
C: Skeletonema
P: Dactyliosolen
P: Lauderia

R: Guinardia
R: Paralia
R: Coscinodiscus
R: Ditylum
R: Pleurosigma
R: Asterionellopsis
R: Eucampia
R: Odontella
R: Asteromphalus
R: Cylindrotheca
R: Rhizosolenia
R: Pseudo-nitzschia
R: Lithodesmium
R: Actinoptychus
R: Entomoneis
R: Licmophora

Other:
C: Ebria

R: Dictyocha

* Environmental Information *
Time: 8:30 am
Collector: M. Conci

Water Conditions (SCW)
Water Temperature: 9.8 C
Water Conditions: Calm
Water Color/Code: Green, 5GY 3/4 (#28)
Water Visibility: 2 ft
Tide: Falling, High – 5:39, 4.9 ft
Surf Report: WNW swell, 5-7 ft

NDBC buoy 46042
– Significant wave height: 14.4 ft
– Swell height/direction: 10.2 ft, WNW
– Wind wave height/direction: 10.2 ft, NW

Weather Conditions (KudelaHawk)
Sky: Sunny and windy
Air Temperature: 42.6 F (5.9 C)
Wind: 15 mph, WSW
Solar radiation: 298 watts/m^2

Monterey Wharf II

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: Rare
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: Rare
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
The wharf this morning was once again very windy (25 mph winds!). There were no boats docked this morning. The surface waters were choppy and rough making it difficult to take phytoplankton tows. The sky directly above me was mostly clear. In the distance, you could see many white caps on the surface of the water. The water this week was a slightly darker green than last week with the same visibility of 2..5m. Chlorophyll decreased from last week. Diatoms dominated the water column. Chaetoceros and Thalassiosira were common in the water. The HAB species that were present in the water this morning included P. nitzschia and Dinophysis.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Dinophysis spp.
R: Protoperidinium spp.
R: Scrippsiella spp.
R: Gyrodinium spp. (grey green)
R: Lingulodinium polyedrum

Diatoms:
C: Chaetoceros spp.
C: Thalassiosira spp.
R: Coscinodiscus spp.
R: Pseudo-nitzschia spp.
R: Ditylum spp.
R: Guinardia spp.
R: Pleurosigma spp.
R: Thalassionema spp.
R: Skeletonema spp.
R: Tropidoneis spp.
R: Lauderia spp.
R: Navicula spp.
R: Cylindrotheca spp.
R: Licmophora spp.
R: Asteromphalus spp.
R: Asterionellopsis spp.
R: Detonula spp.
R: Paralaria spp.
R: Striatella spp.

Zooplankton:
R: fecal pellets, nauplii, tintinnids, calanoids, fish larvae, eggs

* Environmental Information *
TIME: 0726 PT
COLLECTOR: Hannah McGrath

Water Temperature: 10.39°C (note: the Monterey station was up and running again)
Water Conditions: rough waves
Water Color: 10GY 2/4
Visibility: 2.5 m
Tide: Falling at 1.30m, low at 1334h
Chlorophyll: 4.945mg/m^3 by in vivo RFU

Sky: sunny/ clear skies, 2% cloud
Air Temperature: 7.22°C
Wind: NW, 11.18m/S

Rare (R): <1% ~~~ Present (P): 1 – 9% ~~~ Common (C): 10 – 49% ~~~ Abundant (A): >= 50%

Week of February 20, 2023

Santa Cruz Wharf

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: None
– Alexandrium: Rare
– Dinophysis: None
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
We thought last week was windy and cold, but it did not compare to the wind and chill felt by all at the wharf this am.  Despite the perceived change in weather conditions, last week was actually pretty similar to this week.  Net tow was mostly detritus/debris and phytoplankton biomass remains low.  The assemblage was mostly diatoms, but the composition shifted slightly and Chaetoceros and Thalassiosira were the most abundant.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Alexandrium
R: Protoperidinium

Diatoms:
C: Chaetoceros
C: Thalassiosira
P: Paralia
P: Thalassionema
P: Skeletonema
P: Detonula
P: Guinardia

R: Coscinodiscus
R: Ditylum
R: Pleurosigma
R: Asterionellopsis
R: Odontella
R: Lauderia
R: Asteromphalus
R: Hemiaulus
R: Actinoptychus

* Environmental Information *
Time: 7:50 am
Collector: M. Conci

Water Conditions (SCW)
Water Temperature: 10.0 C
Water Conditions: Calm
Water Color/Code: Blue, 10BG 2/6 (#14)
Water Visibility: 2 ft
Tide: Rising, Low – 5:41, 1.2 ft
Surf Report: WNW swell, 13-18 ft

NDBC buoy 46042
– Significant wave height: 16.1 ft
– Swell height/direction: 13.1 ft, WNW
– Wind wave height/direction: 9.2 ft, NW

Weather Conditions (KudelaHawk)
Sky: Sunny and windy
Air Temperature: 45.9 F (7.7 C)
Wind: 9 mph, SW
Solar radiation: 152 watts/m^2

Monterey Wharf II

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: Rare
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: Rare
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
The wharf this morning was extremely windy (25 mph winds!). The surface waters were rough and there was a strong current making it difficult to take phytoplankton tows. The sky was relatively dark with the sun hiding behind clouds. In the distance, you could see many white caps on the surface of the water. The water this week was a slightly lighter green than last week with the same visibility of 1.5m. Chlorophyll increased from last week. Diatoms dominated the water column. Chaetoceros was abundant in the water. The HAB species that were present in the water this morning included P. nitzschia, Dinophysis and Akashiwo sanguinea.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Akashiwo sanguinea
R: Prorocentrum spp.
R: Dinophysis spp.
R: Ceratium spp.
R: Protoperidinium spp.
R: Noctiluca spp.
R: Oxyphysis

Diatoms:
A: Chaetoceros spp.
R: Thalassiosira spp.
R: Coscinodiscus spp.
R: Pseudo-nitzschia spp.
R: Ditylum spp.
R: Guinardia spp.
R: Pleurosigma spp.
R: Thalassionema spp.
R: Skeletonema spp.
R: Tropidoneis spp.
R: Lauderia spp.
R: Navicula spp.
R: Cylindrotheca spp.
R: Odontella spp.
R: Asterionellopsis spp.
R: Detonula spp.
R: Actinoptuchus

Zooplankton:
R: fecal pellets, nauplii, tintinnids, calanoids, fish larvae, eggs

* Environmental Information *
TIME: 0729 PT
COLLECTOR: Hannah McGrath

Water Temperature: 12.3°C
Water Conditions: rough waves
Water Color: 10Y 3/4
Visibility: 1.5 m
Tide: Rising, 1.19 m, high at 1138 h
Chlorophyll: 9.120mg/m^3 by in vivo RFU

Sky: sunny/ clear skies, 60% cloud
Air Temperature: 7.78°C
Wind: NW, 11.18m/S

Rare (R): <1% ~~~ Present (P): 1 – 9% ~~~ Common (C): 10 – 49% ~~~ Abundant (A): >= 50%

Week of February 13, 2023

Santa Cruz Wharf

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: None
– Alexandrium: Rare
– Dinophysis: None
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
Windy, cold, and clear at the wharf this morning.  Visibility decreased again and as expected, the net tow was mostly detritus/debris.  Phytoplankton biomass was similar to last week and the assemblage was mostly diatoms (only saw a couple dinos).  And once again, Chaetoceros was the most abundant.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Alexandrium
R: LRB

Diatoms:
A: Chaetoceros
P: Thalassiosira
P: Paralia
P: Thalassionema
P: Detonula
P: Guinardia

R: Skeletonema
R: Coscinodiscus
R: Ditylum
R: Navicula
R: Asterionellopsis
R: Entomoneis
R: Rhizosolenia
R: Licmophora
R: Actinoptychus

* Environmental Information *
Time: 8:20 am
Collector: M. Conci

Water Conditions (SCW)
Water Temperature: 10.5 C
Water Conditions: Calm
Water Color/Code: Brown, 5GY 5/6 (#27)
Water Visibility: 2 ft
Tide: Falling, High – 5:10, 5.7 ft
Surf Report: WNW swell, 8-12 ft

NDBC buoy 46042
– Significant wave height: 11.2 ft
– Swell height/direction: 10.2 ft, NW
– Wind wave height/direction: 4.6 ft, WNW

Weather Conditions (KudelaHawk)
Sky: Sunny
Air Temperature: 47.3 F (8.5 C)
Wind: 7 mph, W
Solar radiation: 212 watts/m^2

Monterey Wharf II

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: Rare
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: Rare
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
The wharf this morning was relatively warm. There was a slight breeze. The sky was clear and sunny. There were medium sized slow rolling waves on the surface of the water moving in the direction towards the dock. The water this week was greener than last week with a visibility of only 1.5m. Chlorophyll significantly increased from last week. Chaetoceros was abundant while Ditylum and Lauderia were present. The HAB species that were present in the water this morning included P. nitzschia, Dinophysis, and Akashiwo sanguinea.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Akashiwo sanguinea
R: Prorocentrum spp.
R: Dinophysis spp.
R: Ceratium spp.
R: Protoperidinium spp.
R: Gyrodinium spp. (grey green)

Diatoms:
A: Chaetoceros spp.
R: Thalassiosira spp.
R: Coscinodiscus spp.
R: Pseudo-nitzschia spp.
P: Ditylum spp.
R: Guinardia spp.
R: Pleurosigma spp.
R: Thalassionema spp.
R: Tropidoneis spp.
P: Lauderia spp.
R: Navicula spp.
R: Cylindrotheca spp.
R: Odontella spp.
R: Asterionellopsis spp.
R: Detonula spp.
R: Actinoptychus

Others:
R: Dictyocha spp.

Zooplankton:
R: fecal pellets, nauplii, tintinnids, calanoids, fish larvae, eggs

* Environmental Information *
TIME: 0728 PT
COLLECTOR: Hannah McGrath

Water Temperature: 12.8°C
Water Conditions: Rolling waves
Water Color: 5GY 3/4
Visibility: 1.5 m
Tide: Falling, 1.49 m, low at 1309h
Chlorophyll: 4.408mg/m^3 by in vivo RFU

Sky: sunny/ clear blue skies, 0% cloud
Air Temperature: 6.11°C
Wind: ESE, 2.46 m/S


Rare (R): <1% ~~~ Present (P): 1 – 9% ~~~ Common (C): 10 – 49% ~~~ Abundant (A): >= 50%

Week of February 6, 2023

Santa Cruz Wharf

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: Rare
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: None
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
Another cold and beautiful morning at the wharf.  The water visibility improved this week and the detritus/debris in the net tow decreased.  Phytoplankton biomass increased for the 2nd week in a row and diatoms remain the dominant group.  Chaetoceros was the most abundant this week – some nice long-ish chains, several different species.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Akashiwo
R: Ceratium
R: Protoperidinium
R: Gyrodinium

Diatoms:
A: Chaetoceros
C: Thalassiosira
P: Paralia
P: Thalassionema
P: Skeletonema

R: Coscinodiscus
R: Detonula
R: Pseudo-nitzschia
R: Guinardia
R: Asteromphalus
R: Navicula
R: Pleurosigma
R: Odontella
R: Asterionellopsis
R: Entomoneis

* Environmental Information *
Time: 8:35 am
Collector: M. Conci

Water Conditions (SCW)
Water Temperature: 11.2 C
Water Conditions: Rippled, small swell
Water Color/Code: Green, 10GY 3/4 (#29)
Water Visibility: 7 ft
Tide: Rising, High – 11:17, 5.0 ft
Surf Report: WNW swell, 7-9 ft

NDBC buoy 46042
– Significant wave height: 10.2 ft
– Swell height/direction: 10.2 ft, WNW
– Wind wave height/direction: 1.6 ft, NW

Weather Conditions (KudelaHawk)
Sky: Sunny
Air Temperature: 44.4 F (6.9 C)
Wind: 4 mph, WNW
Solar radiation: 205 watts/m^2

Monterey Wharf II

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: Rare
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: None
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
This morning there were blue clear skies directly above me and there was a slight blanket of haze/fog lining the horizon. The air was chilly and there was a slight breeze. There were medium sized waves on the surface of the water moving in the direction towards the dock. The water this week was slightly greener than last week with a visibility of 5.5m. Chlorophyll decreased from last week. Chaetoceros was common in the water column. The HAB species that were present in the water this morning included Pseudo-nitzschia.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Polykrikos spp.

Diatoms:
C: Chaetoceros spp.
R: Thalassiosira spp.
R: Coscinodiscus spp.
R: Pseudo-nitzschia spp.
R: Ditylum spp.
R: Guinardia spp.
R: Pleurosigma spp.
R: Thalassionema spp.
R: Tropidoneis spp.
R: Navicula spp.
R: Cylindrotheca spp.
R: Asteromphalus spp.
R: Paralia spp.
R: Aulacodiscus

Others:
R: Dictyocha spp.

Zooplankton:
R: fecal pellets, nauplii, tintinnids, calanoids, fish larvae, eggs

* Environmental Information *
TIME: 0736 PT
COLLECTOR: Hannah McGrath

Water Temperature: 14.0°C
Water Conditions: Medium rolling waves
Water Color: 10YG 2/4
Visibility: 5.5 m
Tide: falling, 0.90m, high at 1121 h
Chlorophyll: 2.509 mg/m^3 by in vivo RFU

Sky: sunny/ clear skies, 0% cloud
Air Temperature: 8.33°C
Wind: WNW, 2.91 m/S


Rare (R): <1% ~~~ Present (P): 1 – 9% ~~~ Common (C): 10 – 49% ~~~ Abundant (A): >= 50%

Week of January 30, 2023

Santa Cruz Wharf

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: None
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: None
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
Beautiful, cold, sunny morning at the wharf and the salinity jumped up this week.  Net tow remains mostly detritus/debris, but phytoplankton biomass increased this week.  Diatoms were the dominant group with Thalassiosira being the most abundant genus.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Akashiwo
R: Ceratium
R: Prorocentrum
R: Boreadinium
R: Gymnodinium
R: Unknown armored dino (Lingulo/Alex)

Diatoms:
C: Thalassiosira
C: Chaetoceros
P: Paralia
P: Lauderia

R: Coscinodiscus
R: Detonula
R: Thalassionema
R: Guinardia
R: Actinoptychus

* Environmental Information *
Time: 8:40 am
Collector: M. Conci

Water Conditions (SCW)
Water Temperature: 12.2 C
Water Conditions: Small swell
Water Color/Code: Green/brown, 5GY 3/4 (#28)
Water Visibility: 2 ft
Tide: Falling, High – 6:59, 5.6 ft
Surf Report: WNW swell, 4-6 ft

NDBC buoy 46042
– Significant wave height: 7.5 ft
– Swell height/direction: 7.2 ft, W
– Wind wave height/direction: 2.3 ft, ESE

Weather Conditions (KudelaHawk)
Sky: Sunny
Air Temperature: 43.5 F (6.4 C)
Wind: 7 mph, WNW
Solar radiation: 224 watts/m^2

Monterey Wharf II

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: Rare
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: None
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
This morning the dock was covered in frost (making it very slippery) and very chilly. The sky was a light blue with no clouds. At my sampling site, there were no boats docked. There were large rolling waves on the surface of the water moving in the direction towards the dock. There was a strong current. The water this week was a darker green than last week with a visibility of 4.5m. Chlorophyll significantly increased from last week. Thalassiosira was abundant and Chaetoceros were present in the water. The HAB species that were present in the water this morning included P. nitzschia and Akashiwo sanguinea.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Akashiwo sanguinea 
R: Prorocentrum spp.    
R: Ceratium spp.          
R: Protoperidinium spp.
R: Amylax
R: Pyrophacus

Diatoms:
P: Chaetoceros spp.
A: Thalassiosira spp.       
R: Coscinodiscus spp.     
R: Pseudo-nitzschia spp. 
R: Ditylum spp.
R: Pleurosigma spp.        
R: Thalassionema spp.    
R: Tropidoneis spp.
R: Navicula spp.
R: Cylindrotheca spp.           
R: Licmophora spp.
R: Asteromphalus spp.
R: Asterionellopsis spp.
R: Detonula spp.
R: Actinoptuchus
R: Aulacodiscus

Others:
R: Dictyocha spp.

Zooplankton:
R:  fecal pellets, nauplii, tintinnids, calanoids, fish larvae, eggs

* Environmental Information *
TIME: 0721 PT
COLLECTOR: Hannah McGrath

Water Temperature: 13.50°C
Water Conditions: Wavy/ strong current
Water Color: 10Y 2/2
Visibility: 4.5 m
Tide: falling, 1.65m, low at 1446h
Chlorophyll: 9.264mg/m^3 by in vivo RFU

Sky: sunny/ clear skies, 0% cloud
Air Temperature: 7.78°C
Wind: WSW, 2.46 m/S

Rare (R): <1% ~~~ Present (P): 1 – 9% ~~~ Common (C): 10 – 49% ~~~ Abundant (A): >= 50%

Week of January 23, 2023

Santa Cruz Wharf

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: None
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: None
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
Sunny and cool at the wharf with lots of sea lions hanging out in the sampling location.  Net tow was mostly detritus/debris and it was hard to even see/find phytoplankton cells.  Phytoplankton biomass decreased (saw ~30 cells, so 1 cell=Present).  Thalassiosira and Paralia were the most abundant.

Dinoflagellates:
C: Akashiwo

Diatoms:
C: Thalassiosira
C: Paralia
C: Coscinodiscus
P: Odontella
P: Navicula

* Environmental Information *
Time: 8:50 am
Collector: M. Conci

Water Conditions (SCW)
Water Temperature: 12.1 C
Water Conditions: Some swell
Water Color/Code: Green/brown, 5GY 5/6 (#27)
Water Visibility: 2 ft
Tide: Rising, Low – 6:54, 2.0 ft
Surf Report: WNW swell, 5-8 ft

NDBC buoy 46042
– Significant wave height: 8.5 ft
– Swell height/direction: 8.2 ft, NW
– Wind wave height/direction: 1.6 ft, E

Weather Conditions (KudelaHawk)
Sky: Sunny
Air Temperature: 44.8 F (7.1 C)
Wind: 4 mph, W
Solar radiation: 221 watts/m^2

Monterey Wharf II

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: Rare
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: Rare
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
This morning the sky was clear with no clouds. The sun was rising to the right of me. There was a pink haze over the mountains. A couple of seagulls were croaking. The surface of the water had detritus and small plastic floating. The sediment and detritus clogged my plankton tow net making it difficult to obtain samples. The current was very strong, also making sampling difficult this morning. The water was greener than last week with a visibility of only 1.5m. Chlorophyll decreased from last week. The HAB species that were present in the water this morning included P. nitzschia and Dinophysis.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Dinophysis spp.       
R: Ceratium spp.          
R: Protoperidinium spp.

Diatoms:
R: Coscinodiscus spp.     
R: Pseudo-nitzschia spp. 
R: Pleurosigma spp.        
R: Thalassionema spp.    
R: Tropidoneis spp.
R: Navicula spp.
R: Licmophora spp.
R: Asteromphalus spp.
R: Detonula spp.

Zooplankton:
R:  fecal pellets, nauplii, tintinnids, calanoids, fish larvae, eggs

* Environmental Information *
TIME: 0727 PT
COLLECTOR: Hannah McGrath

Water Temperature: 13.3°C
Water Conditions: Rolling waves
Water Color: 10Y 3/4
Visibility: 1.5 m
Tide: Rising, 0.66m, high at 1239 h
Chlorophyll: 2.318mg/m^3 by in vivo RFU

Sky: sunny/ clear skies, 0% cloud
Air Temperature: 8.89°C
Wind: S, 3.58m/S

Rare (R): <1% ~~~ Present (P): 1 – 9% ~~~ Common (C): 10 – 49% ~~~ Abundant (A): >= 50%

Week of January 16, 2023

Santa Cruz Wharf

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: None
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: None
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
Finally some sunshine – sunny and clear this am at the wharf.  The swell was still rolling in and the wharf remains in the San Lorenzo River plume.  Net tow was similar to last week, mostly debris (and looked cloudy – silt? bacteria?).  Phytoplankton biomass decreased (maybe there were 50 cells in the dish, so 1 cell=Present) and Akashiwo and Ceratium were the most abundant.

Dinoflagellates:
C: Akashiwo
C: Ceratium
P: Lingulodinium
P: Noctiluca

Diatoms:
P: Thalassiosira
P: Guinardia
P: Thalassionema
P: Fragilariopsis
P: Odontella
P: Detonula
P: Coscinodiscus

* Environmental Information *
Time: 8:45 am
Collector: M. Conci/P. Daniel

Water Conditions (SCW)
Water Temperature: 12.3 C
Water Conditions: Large swell
Water Color/Code: Green/brown, 5GY 5/6 (#27)
Water Visibility: 2 ft
Tide: Falling, High – 6:34, 6.3 ft
Surf Report: WNW swell, 8-9 ft

NDBC buoy 46042
– Significant wave height: 9.5 ft
– Swell height/direction: 9.2 ft, NW
– Wind wave height/direction: 1.3 ft, W

Weather Conditions (KudelaHawk)
Sky: Sunny
Air Temperature: 41.4 F (5.2 C)
Wind: 6.4 mph, WNW
Solar radiation: 140 watts/m^2

Monterey Wharf II

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: Rare
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: Rare
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
Despite all of the recent rain and clouds in Monterey this past week, this morning the sun was out and the sky was blue. There were clear skies directly above me and there was a slight blanket of haze/fog lining the horizon.. There were large slow rolling waves and small bubbles on the surface of the water. The water was greener than usual with a visibility of 2m. Chlorophyll significantly decreased from 2 weeks ago..Ceratium was common in the water. The HAB species that were present in the water this morning included P. nitzschia, Dinophysis, and Akashiwo sanguinea.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Akashiwo sanguinea
R: Prorocentrum spp.
R: Dinophysis spp.
C: Ceratium spp.

Diatoms:
R: Chaetoceros spp.
R: Coscinodiscus spp.
R: Pseudo-nitzschia spp.
R: Guinardia spp.
R: Pleurosigma spp.
R: Thalassionema spp.
R: Tropidoneis spp.
R: Navicula spp.
R: Paralaria spp.
R: Aulacodiscus

Others:
R: Dictyocha spp.

Zooplankton:
R: fecal pellets, nauplii, tintinnids, calanoids, fish larvae, eggs

* Environmental Information *
TIME: 0817 PT
COLLECTOR: Hannah McGrath

Water Temperature: 14.7°C
Water Conditions: Rolling waves
Water Color: 5GY 3/4
Visibility: 2.0m
Tide: Falling 1.17m low at 0219 h
Chlorophyll: 3.714mg/m^3 by in vivo RFU

Sky: sunny/ clear skies, 2% cloud
Air Temperature: 14.7°C (portable digital field thermometer Traceable)
Wind: S, 0.89m/S

Rare (R): <1% ~~~ Present (P): 1 – 9% ~~~ Common (C): 10 – 49% ~~~ Abundant (A): >= 50%

Week of January 9, 2023

Santa Cruz Wharf

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: Present
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: Present
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
Well, 2wks in and its been an eventful 2023…  We skipped sampling last week b/c the swell was too big and waves were breaking too close to our sampling location.
This morning there was wind and rain, but we were able to collect water and a net tow.  The wharf is definitely in the San Lorenzo River plume, so the visibility was low and the net tow was mostly detritus/debris.  Phytoplankton biomass was low (observed less than 100 cells in the dish, 1 cell = P) and diatoms were the dominant group.  Thalassiosira was the most abundant genus. Surprisingly, we saw some cells in the probed counts, P. multiseries and Alexandrium.

Dinoflagellates:
C: Akashiwo
C: Ceratium
P: Dinophysis
P: Protoperidinium
P: Gonyaulax

Diatoms:
C: Thalassiosira
C: Pseudo-nitzschia
P: Chaetoceros
P: Navicula
P: Guinardia
P: Stephanopyxis
P: Paralia
P: Pleurosigma
P: Dactyliosolen
P: Odontella
P: Proboscia
P: Coscinodiscus

* Environmental Information *
Time: 9:10 am
Collector: K. Negrey/M. Conci

Water Conditions (SCW)
Water Temperature: 12.2 C
Water Conditions: Large swell
Water Color/Code: Brown/green, 10Y 3/4 (#20)
Water Visibility: 1 ft
Tide: Rising, Low – 6:35, 3.0 ft
Surf Report: W swell, 6-15 ft

NDBC buoy 46042
– Significant wave height: 13.1 ft
– Swell height/direction: 10.8 ft, WSW
– Wind wave height/direction: 7.5 ft, W

Weather Conditions (KudelaHawk)
Sky: Rainy w/wind
Air Temperature: 52.9 F (11.6 C)
Wind: 8 mph, ENE
Solar radiation: 59 watts/m^2

Monterey Wharf II

No sample this week

Rare (R): <1% ~~~ Present (P): 1 – 9% ~~~ Common (C): 10 – 49% ~~~ Abundant (A): >= 50%

Week of December 26, 2022

Santa Cruz Wharf

No sample this week

Monterey Wharf II

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

* Quick HAB Observations *
– Pseudo-nitzschia: Present
– Alexandrium: None
– Dinophysis: None
– Margalefidinium: None

* Impressions *
After yesterday’s rains the water color was visibly brown with sediment and the net tows resembled strong coffee diluted with ginger ale. There was a small undercurrent that kept sweeping the net tow and van dorn off their vertical trajectories. Otherwise, the morning was calm, cool and mostly sunny. Chlorophyll increased this week, with Chaetoceros dominating, followed by Guinardia. Dinoflagellate diversity dropped markedly from last week with just a couple rare sightings: Ceratium and Protoperidinium. Diatom diversity remained quite high like last week, however the sample looked more like a warzone – lots of diatom pieces/parts (many without pigment) strewn about amongst the sediment.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Ceratium spp.
R: Protoperidinium spp.

Diatoms:
C: Chaetoceros spp.
R: Thalassiosira spp.
R: Coscinodiscus spp.
P: Pseudo-nitzschia spp.
R: Ditylum spp.
C: Guinardia spp.
P: Pleurosigma spp.
P: Skeletonema spp.
P: Tropidoneis spp.
P: Lauderia spp.
R: Navicula spp.
R: Cylindrotheca spp.
P: Leptocylindrus spp.
R: Proboscia spp.
P: Detonula spp.
R: Eucampia

Others:
R: Dictyocha spp.
R: Phaeocystis spp. (singletons and clumps)

Zooplankton:
R: rotifer

* Environmental Information *
TIME: 0835 PT
COLLECTOR: Holly Bowers

Water Temperature: 17.6 °C
Water Conditions: Calm
Water Color: 5Y 2/2
Visibility: 2 m
Tide: Rising, 3.57 m, low at 0826 h
Chlorophyll: 5.468 mg/m^3 by in vivo RFU

Sky: mostly sunny, 25% cloud
Air Temperature: 10.0 °C
Wind: SSW, 2.91 m/S


Rare (R): <1% ~~~ Present (P): 1 – 9% ~~~ Common (C): 10 – 49% ~~~ Abundant (A): >= 50%