*3.3. Pigment analysis*

The algal pellet (1 g) from cultures of *C. cf. verruculosa* was extracted with MeOH (3 mL), and the extract was filtered through Whatman GFF (0.45 μm). A portion of extract (500 μL) was added to 250 μL of ion-pairing solution (1M ammonium acetate), and after 5 minutes injected to the HPLC system. Assessment of the pigment composition was performed using a Hewlett-Packard HPLC 1100 Series system, equipped with a quaternary pump system and diode array detector. Pigments were separated on a temperature-controlled (20 °C) Hypersil MOS C8 reverse phase column (Sigma-Aldrich, 3 μm, 100 × 4.6 mm) according to the HPLC method of Vidussi *et al.* [45]. The mobile phases were MeOH (eluent A) and MeOH/0.5 N ammonium acetate (7:3) (eluent B). The elution gradient was kept constant at 1.0 mL/min for 20 min. The ratio of eluent B was gradually increased from 25 to 100%, and then returned to the initial proportion at the end of the elution. Chlorophylls and carotenoids were detected at 440 nm and identified by a diode array detector (Ώ = 350–750 nm, 1.2 nm spectral resolution). Standards of all the known pigments were provided by International Agency for 14C Determination (VKI Water Quality Institute) and calibration was performed according to Mantoura and Repeta [46]. 

## *3.4. Analysis of algal bloom*

Samples from blooms occurring in the Delaware Inland Bays were collected and returned to the laboratory or shipped by overnight courier to UNCW CMS Laboratory. Upon arrival, the sample was processed immediately. Pigment samples were taken as natural samples filtered on Whatman GFF filters and frozen immediately in liquid nitrogen and stored in a ƺ80° C freezer until extraction and pigment analyses could be performed as described above. Species contents of the sample water were determined by direct observations using a Nikon Diaphot inverted microscope. Observations of the phytoplankton included species identification, at least to genus level of live cells, cell density estimates using standard inverted microscope techniques and extraction for lipid soluble toxins in  chloroform. Preserved samples (Lugol's solution) were carefully mixed, placed into a 10 or 50 mL settling chamber and allowed to settle for 24 hours prior to observation. The dominant species were identified, enumerated and used to define the phytoplankton composition. 
