The seasonal distribution of the marine diatom genus Chaetoceros Ehr. in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island (1981–1982)

The seasonal dynamics of the diatom genus Chaetoceros Ehrenberg were investigated in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Whole water samples were collected weekly from July 1981 to October 1982 at four locations in the lower Bay and were preserved, concentrated by settling and enumerated. Chaetoceros were most abundant in late winter–early spring; a second peak occurred in the fall. As in many other temperate neritic areas, C. debilis, C. compressus and C. didymus were major components of die Chaetoceros population and could be found throughout the year. Species composition and dynamics were quite similar at the Jerusalem, GSO Pier and Wickford Harbor stations, but were markedly different in Pettaquamscutt River, a reduced salinity tidal estuary.