Santa Cruz Wharf

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

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

* Impressions *
Overcast and drizzly at the wharf this morning with seabirds feeding off of Main Beach.  Net tow was similar to last week – mostly diatoms with an increase in dinoflagellates.  Phytoplankton biomass was about the same however, the assemblage shifted again and Pseudo-nitzschia were the most abundant.  The P. multiseries concentration increased slightly while the P. australis concentration increased an order of magnitude.  Alexandrium cells were also observed in the net tow and the probed counts.

Dinoflagellates:
P: Protoperidinium
P: Dinophysis

R: Ceratium
R: Prorocentrum
R: Alexandrium
R: Akashiwo
R: Polykrikos
R: Noctiluca
R: Boreadinium
R: LRB

Diatoms:
C: Pseudo-nitzschia
C: Dactyliosolen
C: Leptocylndrus
C: Skeletonema
P: Guinardia
P: Chaetoceros
P: Thalassiosira
P: Detonula

R: Asterionellopsis
R: Lauderia
R: Pleurosigma
R: Proboscia
R: Asteromphalus
R: Eucampia
R: Thalassionema
R: Ditylum
R: Rhizosolenia

* Environmental Information *
Time: 7:45 am
Collector: A. Trapp

Water Conditions (SCW)
Water Temperature: 12.5 C
Water Conditions: Choppy w/ swell
Water Color/Code: Blue/green, 10G 3/6 (#32)
Water Visibility: 5 ft
Tide: Rising, High – 8:23, 4.9 ft
Surf Report: WNW swell, 4-6

NDBC buoy 46236
– Significant wave height: 1.8 m
– Swell height/direction: 1.5 m, WNW
– Wind wave height/direction: 1.1 m, WNW

Weather Conditions (KudelaHawk)
Sky: Overcast, drizzling
Air Temperature: 52.2 F (11.2 C)
Wind: 2 mph, SE
Solar radiation: 5 watts/m^2

Monterey Wharf II

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

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

* Impressions *
The wharf this morning was cloudy and misting. Unlike yesterday, it was warm and sunny with a high of 77°F. There were many sea lions jumping out of the water. In addition, there were unusually more seabirds swarming near shore and moving offshore. The surface of the water had kelp and bird feathers. The water this week was a slightly lighter green than last week with a visibility of 4.0m. Chlorophyll decreased from last week. Dinoflagellates dominated the water column. Akashiwo abundance significantly increased from last week. Akashiwo was abundant (=> 50%) in the water. Dinophysis, Protoperidinium, and Prorocentrum were present (1-10%). The HAB species that were observed in the water this morning included Pseudo-nitzschia, Alexandrium, Dinophysis and Akashiwo sanguinea.

Dinoflagellates:
A: Akashiwo sanguinea
P: Prorocentrum spp.
P: Dinophysis spp.
R: Ceratium spp.
P: Protoperidinium spp.
R: Alexandrium spp.
R: Gyrodinium spp. (pink tipped)
R: Polykrikos spp.
R: Pyrophacus spp.
R: Amylax

Diatoms:
R: Chaetoceros spp.
R: Thalassiosira spp.
R: Coscinodiscus spp.
R: Pseudo-nitzschia spp.
R: Guinardia spp.
R: Pleurosigma spp.
R: Thalassionema spp.
R: Skeletonema spp.
R: Navicula spp.
R: Licmophora spp.
R: Asteromphalus spp.
R: Leptocylindrus spp.
R: Eucampia
R: Entomoneis

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

* Environmental Information *
TIME: 0814 PT
COLLECTOR: Hannah McGrath

Water Temperature: 14.0°C
Water Conditions: relatively calm
Water Color: 10GY 2/4
Visibility: 4.0 m
Tide: Rising, 2.01m, high at 0829 h

Sky: cloudy/misty, 100% cloud
Air Temperature: 12.22°C
Wind: offline, 1.34m/S

Santa Cruz Wharf

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

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

* Impressions *
Mostly sunny and cold at the wharf this morning.  Net tow was mostly diatoms and phytoplankton biomass decreased this week.  Phytoplankton assemblage shifted slightly with Chaetoceros decreasing and Skeletonema being the most abundant.  No Alexandrium were observed this week.  Pseudo-nitzschia were mostly seriata size (handful of deli-size).  P. australis and P. multiseries were detected in the probed counts this week and concentrations increased 2 orders of magnitude.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Ceratium
R: Protoperidinium
R: Dinophysis
R: Prorocentrum
R: Gyrodinium
R: Margalefidinium
R: Polykrikos

Diatoms:
A: Skeletonema
C: Chaetoceros
P: Thalassiosira
P: Asterionellopsis
P: Pseudo-nitzschia

R: Detonula
R: Lauderia
R: Coscinodiscus
R: Pleurosigma
R: Proboscia
R: Asteromphalus
R: Eucampia
R: Guinardia
R: Dactyliosolen
R: Paralia
R: Thalassionema
R: Ditylum
R: Rhizosolenia
R: Actinoptychus
R: Entomoneis

* Environmental Information *
Time: 8:15 am
Collector: P. Daniel

Water Conditions (SCW)
Water Temperature: 12.0 C
Water Conditions: Small swell
Water Color/Code: Green, 10G 2/6 (#12)
Water Visibility: 5 ft
Tide: Falling, Low – 8:51, 0.6 ft
Surf Report: WNW swell, 3-4

NDBC buoy 46236
– Significant wave height: 2.2 m
– Swell height/direction: 1.8 m, WNW
– Wind wave height/direction: 1.4 m, WNW

Weather Conditions (KudelaHawk)
Sky: Partly cloudy
Air Temperature: 42.3 F (5.7 C)
Wind: 8 mph, W
Solar radiation: 132 watts/m^2

Monterey Wharf II

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

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

* Impressions *
The wharf this morning was sunny with clear skies. The wharf was relatively warm and there was no breeze. There were several fishermen at the wharf. The water this week was a slightly lighter green than last week with a visibility of 5.5m. Visually chlorophyll decreased slightly from last week. Diatoms dominated the water column. Chaetoceros, Pseudo-nitzschia, and Skeletonema were common (10-49%). Proboscia and Akashiwo were present (1-10%). The HAB species that were observed in the water this morning included Pseudo-nitzschia, Alexandrium, Dinophysis and Akashiwo sanguinea.

Dinoflagellates:
P: Akashiwo sanguinea
R: Prorocentrum spp.
R: Dinophysis spp.
R: Ceratium spp.
R: Protoperidinium spp.
R: Alexandrium spp.
R: Gyrodinium spp.
R: Lingulodinium polyedrum
R: Amylax

Diatoms:
C: Chaetoceros spp.
R: Thalassiosira spp.
R: Coscinodiscus spp.
C: Pseudo-nitzschia spp.
R: Ditylum spp.
R: Guinardia spp.
R: Pleurosigma spp.
R: Rhizosolenia spp.
R: Thalassionema spp.
C: Skeletonema spp.
R: Lauderia spp.
R: Navicula spp.
R: Cylindrotheca spp.
R: Licmophora spp.
R: Odontella spp.
R: Leptocylindrus spp.
R: Asterionellopsis spp.
R: Stephanopyxis spp.
R: Cerataulina spp.
R: Proboscia spp.
R: Detonula spp.
R: Eucampia
R: Entomoneis
R: Lioloma
R: Grammatophora

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

* Environmental Information *
TIME: 0832 PT
COLLECTOR: Hannah McGrath

Water Temperature: 12.1°C
Water Conditions: calm
Water Color: 5Y 2/2
Visibility: 5.5 m
Tide: Falling, 0.21 m, low at 0902 h

Sky: sunny/ clear skies, 5% cloud
Air Temperature: 8.06°C
Wind: offline, 1.34m/S

Santa Cruz Wharf

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

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

* Impressions *
Overcast, drizzling, and windy this morning at the wharf.  Brown pelicans feeding on the baitball off Main Beach.  Despite the gloomy weather, the detritus/debris decreased this week and the net tow was mostly diatoms.  Phytoplankton biomass increased dramatically this week, with mostly chain forming diatoms.  Skeletonema and Chaetoceros were the most abundant.  Alexandrium and Dinophysis made an appearance this week.  Pseudo-nitzschia were seriata size.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Ceratium
R: Protoperidinium
R: Dinophysis
R: Gyrodinium
R: LRB
R: Alexandrium

Diatoms:
C: Skeletonema
C: Chaetoceros
C: Thalassiosira
P: Asterionellopsis
P: Detonula
P: Lauderia
P: Pseudo-nitzschia

R: Coscinodiscus
R: Pleurosigma
R: Asteromphalus
R: Eucampia
R: Guinardia
R: Odontella
R: Lithodesmium
R: Entomoneis

Other:
R: Phaeocystis

* Environmental Information *
Time: 8:30 am
Collector: P. Daniel

Water Conditions (SCW)
Water Temperature: 11.9 C
Water Conditions: Choppy w/swell
Water Color/Code: Green/blue, 10G 2/6 (#12)
Water Visibility: 4 ft
Tide: Rising, High – 9:50, 4.9 ft
Surf Report: NW swell, 3-4

NDBC buoy 46236
– Significant wave height: 1.4 m
– Swell height/direction: 0.9 m, WNW
– Wind wave height/direction: 1.1 m, WNW

Weather Conditions (KudelaHawk)
Sky: Overcast
Air Temperature: 53.8 F (12.1 C)
Wind: 11 mph, ENE
Solar radiation: 14 watts/m^2

Monterey Wharf II

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

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

* Impressions *
The wharf was warm this morning. The sky was filled with clouds. The surface of the water was calm. The water smelled funky and was visibility greener than last week with a visibility of 2.0m. Chlorophyll significantly increased from last week. Diatoms dominated the water column. Chaetoceros, Skeletonema and Detonula were common in the water. Thalassiosira, Asterionellopsis, Pseudo-nitzschia, Proboscia and eggs were present. The HAB species that were observed in the water this morning included Pseudo-nitzschia, Alexandrium, and Dinophysis.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Dinophysis spp.
R: Ceratium spp.
R: Protoperidinium spp.
R: Alexandrium spp.
R: Gyrodinium spp. (pink tipped)
R: Pyrophacus spp.

Diatoms:
C: Chaetoceros spp.
P: Thalassiosira spp.
P: Pseudo-nitzschia spp.
R: Guinardia spp.
R: Pleurosigma spp.
R: Rhizosolenia spp.
R: Thalassionema spp.
C: Skeletonema spp.
R: Tropidoneis spp.
R: Lauderia spp.
R: Navicula spp.
R: Cylindrotheca spp.
R: Licmophora spp.
R: Odontella spp.
R: Asteromphalus spp.
R: Leptocylindrus spp.
P: Asterionellopsis spp.
R: Dactyliosolen spp.
P: Proboscia spp.
C: Detonula spp.
R: Eucampia
R: Entomoneis
R: Grammatophora

Others:
R: Dictyocha spp.

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

* Environmental Information *
TIME: 0811 PT
COLLECTOR: Hannah McGrath

Water Temperature: 12.0°C
Water Conditions: calm
Water Color: 10Y 2/2
Visibility: 2.0 m
Tide: Rising, 1.31 m, high at 0956 h

Sky: cloudy, 100% cloud
Air Temperature: 12.22°C
Wind: offline, 1.34m/S

Santa Cruz Wharf

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

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

* Impressions *
Overcast and rainy this morning.  Seabirds feeding on the baitball off the west side of the wharf.  Net tow remains mostly detritus/debris.  Phytoplankton biomass decreased this week, but the assemblage remains mostly diatoms.  Chaetoceros was the most abundant this week.  Saw a 3-cell chain of Pseudo-nitzschia in the net tow (seriata-size), but none were detected in the probed counts.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Ceratium
R: Protoperidinium
R: Oxyphysis
R: Gymnodinium
R: LRB

Diatoms:
C: Chaetoceros
C: Thalassiosira
C: Skeletonema
C: Detonula
P: Paralia
P: Coscinodiscus
P: Dactyliosolen

R: Pleurosigma
R: Asteromphalus
R: Lauderia
R: Actinoptychus
R: Proboscia
R: Odontella
R: Pseudo-nitzschia

Other:
R: Dictyocha

* Environmental Information *
Time: 8:00 am
Collector: P. Daniel 

Water Conditions (SCW)
Water Temperature: 11.8 C
Water Conditions: Calm
Water Color/Code: Green/blue, 5G 2/6 (#31)
Water Visibility: 5 ft
Tide: Falling, Low – 9:12, 0.0 ft
Surf Report: WNW swell, 3-4

NDBC buoy 46236
– Significant wave height: 1.3 m
– Swell height/direction: 0.8 m, WNW
– Wind wave height/direction: 1.1 m, WNW

Weather Conditions (KudelaHawk)
Sky: Overcast w/some light rain
Air Temperature: 50.4 F (10.2 C)
Wind: 3 mph, SSW
Solar radiation: 28 watts/m^2

Monterey Wharf II

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

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

* Impressions *
It was actively raining this morning at the wharf. There was no wind. The sky was covered in clouds. The surface of the water was relatively calm. The water this week was more blue than last week with a visibility of 5.0m. Diatoms dominated the water column. Chaetoceros was abundant in the water. Detonula and Asterionellopsis were common. Thalassiosira, Odontella, and Skeletonema were present. The HAB species that were observed in the water this morning included Pseudo-nitzschia and Alexandrium were observed in the water.

Dinoflagellates:
R: Prorocentrum spp.
R: Ceratium spp.
R: Gonyaulax spinifera
R: Protoperidinium spp.
R: Alexandrium spp.
R: Pyrophacus spp.

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

Others:
R: Dictyocha spp.

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

* Environmental Information *
TIME: 0732 PT
COLLECTOR: Hannah McGrath

Water Temperature: 12.8°C
Water Conditions: calm
Water Color: 5G 2/6
Visibility: 5.0 m
Tide: Falling, 0.24 m, low at 0923 h

Sky: cloudy skies/ raining, 100% cloud
Air Temperature: 11.11°C
Wind: offline, 0.67m/S