Plankton

Plankton include microscopic algae (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton) that drift with tides and currents. They play a significant role in the estuarine food web and are sensitive to changes in water quality. When nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous increase in the estuary, phytoplankton proliferate. While some increases are healthy for the ecosystem, too much can lead to harmful algal blooms (HABs) and fish kills.  Like most research at the GTMNERR, scientists focus their plankton studies on monitoring changes over time, determining what causes those changes, and assessing how those changes will impact the broader ecosystem including humans.