Phytoplankton community structure in the Tahsis River and Zeballos River plumes

Abstract

[author abstract] Rivers provide necessary nutrients for primary production in estuaries and along the coast. Salinity, light, temperature, and turbidity play a large role in shaping plume communities. By looking at the community structure throughout varying salinities in the Tahsis and Zeballos River plumes we can see the role salinity plays in shaping the plume community structure. Sampling throughout the plume allows for identification unique communities in th plumes changing salinity. Biomass at the mouth of both rivers was lower than at stations in higher salinities. This suggests that although nutrients are higher in the rivers, lower salinities are less conductive to phytoplankton growth.