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Hysical Processes Between The Kennebec Estuary, Casco Bay And The Inner Shelf: Potential Implications For Contaminant Transport And Red Tides
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2001
[PDF-426.44 KB]
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Description:The freshwater discharge of the Kennebec River can profoundly influence the circulation and hydrography of the estuary and adjoining continental shelf waters in the Gulf of Maine. It has been suggested that eastern Casco Bay, just west of the mouth of the Kennebec River, is the source region for red tide blooms occurring in the western gulf during spring and summer. The most significant red tide organism in the gulf is a toxic dinoflagellate, "Alexandrium" spp. Numerous hypotheses exist as to the importance of inshore versus offshore populations as potential seed for toxic blooms as well as the conditions for bloom formation and advection throughout the gulf. Results of investigations reported here confirm the wide distribution of "Alexandrium spp." in Casco Bay and the inner continental shelf. In this highly dynamic region, it is not possible to determine whether there is an offshore, inshore or multiple sources for "Alexandrium spp." blooms based solely on cyst or motile cell concentrations. Factors such as light, temperature and nutrients which might trigger blooms must be considered. Model simulations driven by environmental and hydrographic conditions in conjunction with a large-scale cyst map of the region could provide important insights.
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Sea Grant Document Number:MEU-T-01-001
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Rights Information:Public Domain
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