ABSTRACT
Phytoplankton blooms undergo regular short-and long-term cycles with distinct interannual trends of bloom species replacement after prolonged anthropogenous nutrient loading. Nutrient control that addresses specific phytoplankton requirements should take into consideration both the seasonal aspects of nutrient loading and long-term temporal changes of interactions among the various plankton species (Bernhard and Peele, 1997). There is evidence that nutrient removal from some estuaries has resulted in water quality improvements, for example, phosphorus removal in the upper tidal freshwater Potomac (Jaworski et al., 1972; Jaworski, 1981); the upper portion of the Thames River estuary (Gameson et al., 1973); Kaneohe Bay, and Hawaii (Smith, 1981). In most cases, it was not ascertained if the phytoplankton community and/or associated food webs had actually been either affected by the blooms or restored.
