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Eyes Over Puget Sound: Surface Conditions Report - July 6th, 2011

Eyes Over Puget Sound: Surface Conditions Report - July 6th, 2011

Summer is here! Surface water temperatures have warmed to 14-15 °C. Widespread algae bloom in Main Basin. Puyallup River discharge is very large. Extensive phytoplankton blooms in Central and South Sound, large patches and strands of macroalgae in South Sound/southern Central Sound.

Eyes Over Puget Sound: Surface Conditions Report - June 20th, 2011

Eyes Over Puget Sound: Surface Conditions Report - June 20th, 2011

A particularly great day for the coast flight. Extensive Noctiluca bloom (confirmed by microscopy on 6-21-2011) in Central Basin of Puget Sound, red brown and turquoise blooms in South Sound. Decreasing dissolved oxygen (DO) values at Mukilteo and Manchester mooring stations.

Eyes Over Puget Sound: Surface Conditions Report - April 2011

Eyes Over Puget Sound: Surface Conditions Report - April 2011

Warmer and sunnier conditions give rise to enhanced oxygen production and algae growth in Whidbey and Central Basin. Clear skies and water from Whidbey Basin has stimulated a large algae blooms. Whidbey Basin water is turbid with abundant dissolved organic matter.

Eyes Over Puget Sound: Surface Conditions Report - June 06, 2011

Eyes Over Puget Sound: Surface Conditions Report - June 06, 2011

Large blooms in South Sound and Main Basin with abundant macro-algae. Very complex surface water masses that meet at a triple point in Main Basin. Widespread algae bloom in Main Basin; surface water temperatures warmed in the last few days to 13-14 °C. Dissolved oxygen levels remain high.

The invasive tunicate Styela clava. Photo: WDFW

Intentional and unintentional introduction of invasive and non-native species

Non-native species are those that do not naturally occur in an ecosystem. A non-native species is considered invasive when it is capable of aggressively establishing itself and causing environmental damage to an ecosystem. Plants, animals, and pathogens all can be invasive.