ABSTRACT 



The distribution of inorganic and total phosphorus in the waters 

 along the west coast of Florida is reported for a period of more than 

 16 months. Some upwelling to subsurface levels is evident but no 

 hydrographic feature occurs which could account for the high values of 

 phosphorus found during the "red tide" of 19U6-19U7. There is no evi- 

 dence that either leaching from the bottom of the Gulf or outflow from 

 local rivers contributes large quantities of phosphorus to the Gulf 

 waters. However^ values of total phosphorus comparable to those of the 

 red tide were found in blooms of T richodesmium floating on the surface 

 over water of very low phosphorus content. 



