Seasonal growth and succession of tropical and introduced phytoplankton cultured in deep sea water

Abstract

Seasonal variation in species composition and cell production by indigenous phytoplankton was studied in unaltered and nutrient-enriched 42 m deep sea water. Species composition changed throughout the year, but pennate diatoms remained dominant. With the exception of one instance in June 1975, maximum cell concentrations never fell below 10 5 cells/litre. Introduced phytoplankton cultured in 42 m deep sea water usually obtained high cell concentrations. Phaeodactylum tricornutum inhibited the development of natural diatom populations.