| Summary: | Fundamental information is lacking about the distribution and seasonality of Alexandrium catenella, the dinoflagellate causing paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in Alaska. Although effects of PSP toxins (PSTs) on shellfish resources and human health are well recognized, potential impacts of these toxins on other biota in the Alaskan food web have not been adequately addressed. This study investigates the interconnectivity of PSTs from Alexandrium to zooplankton, shellfish, forage fish and commercially important predatory fishes in two southcentral Alaska ecosystems: Prince William Sound and Kachemak Bay. The first Objective of this project is to confirm the environmental factors governing seasonality of Alexandrium blooms in relation to shifts in phytoplankton and zooplankton community structure. To meet the project overall goals, we conducted shipboard and dock site sampling at monthly to seasonal scales in PWS and LCI-KB from fall 2018 through spring 2021. Part of the sample collections were analyzed for Alexandrium cell abundance and the background phytoplankton community composition and abundance using traditional microscopy methods. This dataset is used to assess annual/seasonal Alexandrium presence/absence, abundance levels and relations with community structure shifts. Comparisons will be analyzed to find out whether temporal synchronicity in Alexandrium dynamics exists between PWS and LCI-KB, the two geographically separated ecosystem. Alexandrium and phytoplankton community composition and abundance data are presented as csv files containing values of cell abundance per liter by species or higher taxonomic group, at stations in PWS and LCI-KB.
|
|---|