Bacteria also constitute a large biomass which is a source of food for specialized predators and many bacterial species are pathogens of higher organisms. My research is focussed on assesing the role of bacteria in trophic dynamics and in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon. Diatoms account for most of the marine primary production. Dinoflagellates are characterized by the pigment peridinin which gives them a distinctive reddish-brown color. Some species contain toxins which can accumulate in shellfish, and can also cause massive fish kills.
Dinoflagellates account for most of the bioluminescence observed in surface waters.
Generally, diatoms species dominate the phytoplankton assemblage during fall and winter. Dinoflagellates become abundant during the spring and summer. These are examples of diatoms found in south Puget Sound. These are examples of dinoflagellates found in south Puget Sound. Estimating bacterial production in marine waters from the simultaneous incorporation of thymidine and leucine.