Abstract

The production ecology of Stephanodiscus astraea (Ehrenb.) Grun. is discussed with respect to other phytoplankton growths, mixing regimes and nutrient availability. Populations of Stephanodiscus were studied during 1972 and 1973 in an artificially mixed reservoir with a capacity of 3.5 × 107m3. Major nutrients such as soluble reactive phosphates (60–200 µg/1) and nitrates (1–8 mg/1) were not limiting. Large amounts of silicate (approximately 10 mg/1) were utilized to support moderately large populations of S. astraea (1.3 × 107 µm3/ml). Light penetration and mixing regimes strongly affected the periodicity and size of standing crops. It is suggested that heterotrophic production can interact with the mixing environment to influence the production of turbid waters.

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