Characteristics Of A Blue-Green Algal Bloom In The Neuse River, North Carolina

During the summer of 1983 a massive blue-green algal bloom, dominated by "Microcystis aeruginosa", developed in the lower Neuse River, N.C; at times the bloom extended for more than 100 km and chlorophyll "a" concentrations reached 1500 ug/liter. In this report we present detailed data on the spatial and temporal extent of the bloom and associated water chemistry. The paper and pulp mill above New Bern was shown to increase nutrient concentrations in the river locally. The effluent from this mill appeared to have little impact on the blue-green algal bloom, but is relationship to the estuarine bloom is unclear. Nutrient concentrations were no higher in 1983 than during nonbloom years; unusually low river flow in 1983, however, may have been a key factor promoting bloom development. Grant no. NA79AA-D-00048