June
16 , 2004 |
Brown Tide sampling was initiated on the Coastal Bays in April by Maryland Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the National Park Service. Results received in June for sampling between April 20 and May 25 show the northern Bays had low concentrations of the brown tide organism Aureococcus anophagefferens as measured by Dr. Dave Carons lab at the University of Southern California. Category 3 concentrations (>200,000 cells per milliliter) have been measured at Green Point, Newport Bay, Public Landing and Tingles Island during mid to late May. Maximum concentrations detected were 220,000 cells per milliliter (Newport Bay (5/19) 589,000 cells per milliliter (Green Point, 5/19), 748,000 cells per milliliter (Tingles Island 5/19), 1.25 million and 1.1 million cells per milliliter (Public Landing 5/19 and 5/25 respectively).
Category 3 blooms can have significant impacts to the health of shellfish and bay grasses. MD Department of Natural Resources will continue to monitor the bloom waters until water temperatures exceed conditions preferred by Aureoccoccus and the bloom declines, typically in early July. |
