RECE/VED
NUY21 1986
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Environmental Monitoring and Suppo
Laboratory
Cincinnati OH 45268
Research and Development
EPA/600/S4-86/003 Aug. 1986
Project Summary
Identification Manual for
Phytoplankton of the United
States Atlantic Coast
Harold G. Marshall
This project summary describes an
identification manual designed to pro-
vide a general reference to Atlantic
coast phytoplankton. Although there
are numerous phytoplankton identifica-
tion keys, many are not readily avail-
able, or are in languages other than En-
glish. In addition, due to the numerous
phylogenetic groups in this category,
an extensive reference library is gener-
ally required. The manual is not in-
tended to be an all inclusive reference
or a substitute for many of the classical
keys available in phytoplankton sys-
tematics.
The manual also provides references
for the major taxonomic works, phyto-
plankton studies for the United States
east coast, and recommended collec-
tion and preparation techniques.
This Project Summary was devel-
oped by EPA's Environmental Monitor-
ing and Support Laboratory, Cincinnati,
OH, to announce key findings of the re-
search project that is fully documented
in a separate report of the same title
(see Project Report ordering informa-
tion at back).
Introduction
An identification key is provided for
the major phytoplankton groups. Once
the major group is established, the iden-
tification key for that category may be
used to bring the user to a specific
genus, and direct reference to species
described in the manual. The descrip-
tion given for each species includes its
dimensions and general distribution in
the United States eastern coastal and
shelf waters.
This area represents the region be-
tween Cape Canaveral, Florida and
Nova Scotia, including the Gulf of
Maine. Although several common estu-
arine species are also given, the manual
is not intended to be a reference for the
various estuarine systems along the
east coast. The dimensions given for
each species represent genera! ranges
associated with growth patterns
throughout the year and in most cases
include other geographic areas of the
world oceans. Local species should cor-
respond to these sizes but will not nec-
essarily encompass the entire range of
dimensions. No attempt is made to pro-
vide a synopsis of geographic ranges in
world seas for these species.
It is assumed that most users will be
working with preserved samples con-
taining a single but common phase of
the phytoplankter's life cycle. Unfortu-
nately, with many of the phytoflagel-
lates, considerable distortion and loss
of flagella are associated with preserva-
tion, so that the examination of live cells
is often necessary for identification. Dif-
ficulties also arise in distinguishing
many of the species that have not been
processed or cleared through careful
preparatory procedures. In addition,
many groups require electron mi-
croscopy before an accurate identifica-
tion can be made. In these cases addi-
tional methodology beyond the
objectives of this manual would be re-
quired. Several references involving
procedures and additional identification
keys have been provided in the refer-
ence section.
Description
Phytoplankton comprise a diverse as-
semblage of mostly microscopic flora
that inhabit the marine and fresh waters
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of the earth. Through their photosyn-
thetic activities they generate oxygen
and represent the primary producers in
the majority of food cycles in aquatic
ecosystems. They may also be respon-
sible for contributing to adverse envi-
ronmental conditions associated with
toxin production, hypoxia, or anoxia. In
addition, specific phytoplankton popu-
lations and assemblages have been
used as indicators to various types of
water masses or water quality condi-
tions. The importance of phvtoplankton
to the eastern coastal waters of the
United States and the increasing inter-
est directed to this community were the
major reasons for preparing this identi-
fication manual.
The identification manual is designed
for general use by those who have not
had formal training in phvtoplankton
systematics or access to the numerous
keys and taxonomic references usually
necessary to identify marine phyto-
plankton. The manual contains 173 spe-
cies, representing nine taxonomic
groups considered among the more
common species found on the United
States eastern coast.
The selection of the species pre-
sented in the manual came from the au-
thor's data files encompassing 20 years
of phytoplankton studies along the east-
ern continental shelf waters of the
United States. The most frequently en-
countered phytoplankters were se-
lected, along with several species and
representatives from groups consid-
ered characteristic to this region. It
should be understood that each area
along the east coast may at times be
represented by a diverse number of
species, including many not repre-
sented in this reference. Particularly,
coastal sections under the influence of
river outflow and shoreline drainage
may sporadically or seasonally contain
an assortment of other species. Even
with these exceptions, the species pre-
sented in this manual are intended to
provide the more characteristic phyto-
plankters in the waters of the U.S. east-
ern continental shelf.
with the subtropical conditions in the
southern portion and the impact of
colder, boreal waters from the north.
Within this area occur a variety of cur-
rent systems and other phenomena that
produce Gulf Stream rings, various up-
welling regions and outflow from major
estuaries. The phytoplankton of this re-
gion are composed predominantly of
diatoms, dinoflagellates, cyanobacteria,
and prymnesiophyceans. Concentra-
tions are highest nearshore and in asso-
ciation with upwelling areas or major
estuaries. The Chlorophyceae, Crypto-
phyceae, and Euglenophyceae are also
common and frequently found in high
numbers. Generally, total concentra-
tions decrease across the shelf, rising
again at various sites along the shelf
margin. Seasonal changes in the abun-
dance and composition of phytoplank-
ton assemblages are characteristic of
the northeastern sections, with Cape
Hatteras as a geographic reference for
generally dividing but not restricting the
development of many of the northern
and southern species. For this eastern
shelf region of the United States, over
700 phytoplankton species have been
identified.
Phytoplankton Categories
The phytoplankton categories in-
cluded in the manual are the following:
I. Chrysophyceae
A. Bacillariophyceae (Diatoms)
B. Chrysophyceae (Golden Algae)
II. Dinophyta (Pyrrhophyta)
A. Dinophyceae (Dinoflagellates)
III. Haptophyta
A. Prymnesiophyceae (Hapto-
phyceae)
IV. Cyanophyta
A. Cyanobacteria (Cyanophyceae,
Myxophyceae, Bluegreen
Algae)
V. Cryptophyta
A. Cryptophyta
VI. Chlorophyta
A. Chlorophyceae (Green Algae)
B. Prasinophyceae (Prasinophytes)
VII. Euglenophyta
A. Euglenophyceae (Euglenoids)
Observation
The eastern coast of the United States
is an extensive, dynamic, and diverse
region, with a continental shelf that is
generally broad and subject to numer-
ous environmental variables that will in-
fluence the presence and development
of phytoplankton. These variables in-
clude the climatic factors associated
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Harold G. Marshall is with Old Dominion University, Norfolk. VA 23508.
C. I. Weber is the EPA Project Officer (see below}.
The complete report, entitled "Identification Manual for Phytoplankton of the
United States Atlantic Coast," (Order No. PB 86-151 222/AS; Cost: $16.95,
subject to change) will be available only from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, OH 45268
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA/600/S4-86/003
' 0000329 PS
u I I8vI*,?l8Ii$TION *GENCY
CHICAGO
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