Characteristics of Phytoplankton Production Off Barataria Bay in an Area Influenced by the Mississippi River

Phytoplankton particulate production was measured in coastal waters along a transect west of the Mississippi River delta using in situ and light-box techniques. Seasonal changes in light-box surface production (0.2-155.0 mg C multiplied by m super(-3) multiplied by h super(-1)), chlorophyll a (1-26 mg Chl a multiplied by m super(-3)), in situ water column production (9.5-186.0 mg C multiplied by m super(-2)h super(-1)), and assimilation number (0.15-42.0 mg C multiplied by mg Chl a super(-1) multiplied by h super(-1)) were all correlated with riverflow. Seasonal changes in the riverfow volume altered the nutrient supply, water color, turbidity and salinity/temperature regimes. Changes in nutrient concentrations were indicative of nitrogen limitation. Annual particulate phytoplankton production was 290 g C multiplied by m super(-2).