Distribution of diatoms in the water and surface sediments of southern South China Sea

Abstract

The relationship of species and abundance between the diatoms in the water and sediments from the southern South China Sea (SCS) were discussed, and the key environmental controlling factors were also investigated. Studies show that the diatom abundance is high in both water and sediments in the southeast part of the southern SCS and the varying trend is similar, while in the northwest part, the abundance is low, and the varying trend is different, The dominant diatom species are Thalassionema nitzschioides and Nitzschia bicapitata in water, and T. nitzschioides and Chaetoceros messanensis in sediments. The diatom species of small size and thin shell in water are more than in the sediments, while the diatom species of large size and thick shell in water are less. The percentage of species T nitzschioides is higher in water of southeast part than in that of northwest part, but it is similar in sediments of both areas. It is shown that the southwest monsoon is the important factor influencing diatom abundance and T nitzschioides percentage, and when the southwest monsoon is well developed, the distribution of diatom abundance and T nitzschioides percentage are consistent in both water and sediments of the study area.