The researchers studied the distribution of tiny plant-like organisms called phytoplankton in a bay in Korea from November 2003 to August 2004. They found that the phytoplankton mainly consisted of diatoms and dinoflagellates, with certain species dominating in different seasons. The phytoplankton blooms were observed in the summer. The amount of phytoplankton varied throughout the seasons, with higher levels in winter and summer. The researchers also discovered that the inner waters of the bay had more phytoplankton and chlorophyll a compared to the outer waters. The abundance of phytoplankton was influenced by factors like temperature, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients in the inner waters.