Summary

Description

Abstract: Water bottle samples were collected from selected depths (variable with station) at 14 stations in the study area. Coulter counts in the 14-28 um size class were routinely determined for comparison with the microscope counts. Water samples were filtered through 40 um Nytex mesh and centrifuged for 10 minutes at 1200 x g to isolate Karenia brevis. Pellets were frozen for subsequent analysis (pg cell-1) of total lipid, neutral lipid, free amino acids, protein and RNA. The biochemical determinations were performed within two weeks of collection at Kamykowski's NCSU laboratory. Aliquots were passed through 0.4 um filters; the filters were placed in 90% acetone for subsequent analysis of chlorophyll and the supernatant was analyzed for nitrate. Purpose: To verify thet biochemical analyses of dense natural populations of K. brevis can provide interpretable data on cellular biochemical composition. To determine how the field patterns relate to previously determined laboratory patterns of depth-dependent biochemical composition.