| Summary: | An oceanographic cruise in front of the Coast
of Baja California was carried from the 9th to the 29th day
of July in 2004, in 91 stations at 10 m depth. The aim of
this study was to identify the variability of phytoplankton
and its oceanographic characterization in the coast-ocean
region during an anomalous year with El Niño characteristics.
Results showed a taxonomic composition of 21
phytoplankton genera in an interval size called nano-microphytoplankton:
Gymnodinium, Scrippsiella, Ceratium,
Coscinodiscus, Oxytoxum, Gyrodinium, Protoperidinium,
Nitzschia, Gonyaulax. On the other hand, spatial distribution
of light absorption coefficient for phytoplankton (aph440)
and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration showed high values
in front of the San Quintin coast and south of Punta Eugenia,
detecting a clear decrease towards the oceanic zone.
In regard to the taxonomic composition of phytoplankton,
a dominance of dinoflagellates in contrast to diatoms was
observed, results coinciding with the basic characteristics of
phytoplankton ecology during an El Niño event.
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