36 



varied from 10 to 25 feet deep, averaging about 15 feet. On 

 the 20th, the strattim settled in the water to depths of 20 to 

 45 feet, but remained about the same thickness. 



Plankton Distribution 



The study of plankton distribution in time and space and 

 the oceanographic conditions responsible for the generation 

 of plankton blooms have been the subject of much research by 

 many observers and in many areas (Harvey, 1955 j Allen, 1941), 

 In certain areas, such as the west coast of Florida, the 

 destruction to fish populations by blooms is often disasterous, 

 and has therefore demanded extensive research. But with all 

 the work, both in the laboratory and in the field, there is 

 today no definite evidence as to the oceanographic conditions 

 responsible for generating rapid reproduction amongst plank- 

 ton. During the course of this survey, a detailed attempt 

 was made to determine if a correlation exists between the 

 growth of phytoplankton and increased nutrients discharged by 

 sewer outfalls. It is believed that some confirming evidence 

 has been gathered, but so many inconsistencies still exist 

 that certainly no definitive conclusions can be reached on 

 all phases of the problem. 



Under nattiral conditions (no sewage discharge) oceanic 

 waters may enter the nearshore zone without being greatly 

 influenced by conditions peculiar to the immediate surrounding 

 region. Allen (1941) has noted that it is unwise to suppose 

 that the phytoplankton is necessarily a product of the near- 

 shore area, or a resultant of the environmental conditions 



