Plankton, by definition, are drifters – they can’t swim against a current. They may be phytoplankton (plant-like) or zooplankton (animal-like).
Phytoplankton are truly the unsung heroes of the ocean. Life as we know it would not exist without these single-celled organisms. They are the base of the food web so all life depends on them. Phytoplankton also provide at least 50% of the air we breathe!
Most of the phytoplankton we record are either diatoms or dinoflagellates. All diatoms photosynthesize and dinoflagellates may be producers (photosynthesize) or they may be consumers like us.
Phytoplankton numbers and species vary throughout the year and are sensitive to environmental changes – both natural and man made. By documenting their numbers throughout the year, we can create a profile that could enable us to detect other environmental changes.
Harmful algal blooms are happening more often and are lasting longer. The Washington State Department of Health keeps a close watch on the numbers of potentially harmful phytoplankton and the toxins they produce. Sound Toxin volunteers assist them by documenting the numbers of phytoplankton present. Keep in mind though, only a relatively small number of phytoplankton produce toxins and blooms are a natural part of any life cycle. It’s when the blooms are excessive that harmful algae are problematic.
SoundToxins has three main objectives:
- To document unusual bloom events and new species entering Puget Sound.
- To determine the environmental conditions that promote the onset and flourishing of HABs that could cause harm to humans and to sealife
- To determine the combination of monitoring parameters that provide the earliest warnings of these events
Through strategic monitoring at 35 sites throughout Puget Sound, SoundToxins, a program run by Washington Sea Grant (WSG), provides an early warning of HABs. The data collected by monitors are entered into an online database that can be accessed in real time by state health officials to make timely decisions — such as which harvest sites require additional shellfish samples or should be closed to harvesting to protect human health. These data also ensure confidence to reopen shellfish harvest, maximizing harvest opportunity for tribes, recreational, commercial and reducing testing costs to the state and industry.
Always check the Shellfish Safety Map at:
https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/biotoxin.html before you dig for shellfish
