Philippine Journal of Science
151 (S1): 79-90, Marine Botany
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 09 Jun 2021

Residence Time Models and Pyrodinium Blooms
in Matarinao and Murcielagos Bays, Philippines

Sanny David P. Lumayno1,2*, Garry A. Benico1,3, Aletta T. Yñiguez1,
Irene D. Alabia1,4, Ian Quino D.G. Fernandez1, Rex Delsar B. Dianala5,
Rhodora V. Azanza1, and Cesar L. Villanoy1

1The Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the
Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines
2Institute of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences,
University of the Philippines Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo 5023 Philippines
3Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science,
Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3120, Philippines
4Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University,
Kita-ku N21 W11, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0021 Japan
5Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center,
Tigbauan, Iloilo 5021 Philippines

*Corresponding author: splumayno@up.edu.ph

[Download]
Lumayno SD et al. 2022. Residence Time Models and Pyrodinium Blooms in Matarinao and
Murcielagos Bays, Philippines. Philipp J Sci 151(S1): 79–90. https://doi.org/10.56899/151.S1.06

 

ABSTRACT

This is the first report on hydrodynamic models to determine current and water residence time patterns for Matarinao and Murcielagos bays in the Philippines, which have a long history of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Field surveys were conducted in Matarinao Bay in April and August 2010 and in Murcielagos Bay in February 2011. Hydrodynamic models of the bays were developed, and spatially explicit water residence times were estimated from the models based on rates of concentration decrease of a tracer within the bay. Both bays exhibited two distinct areas – the mouth with faster current flow and low residence time, and the head area with slower current flow and higher residence time. During the southwest monsoon, the residence time at Matarinao Bay was 5 d longer than that during the northeast monsoon. Phytoplankton sampling in both bays confirmed blooms of Pyrodinium bahamense, but the spatial distribution did not consistently correlate with the simulated residence time patterns. While residence time plays a significant role in algal blooms, extraneous factors may also influence the distribution of phytoplankton within embayments.