SILICA, NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS REQUIREMENTS OF SOME SOUTHERN AFRICAN DIATOMS

Abstract

The yield coefficients and minimum cell concentrations of silica, nitrogen and phosphorus have been determined for four diatoms, Navicula pell iculosa (Brébisson ex Kützing) Hilse, Nitzschia elliptica Hustedt, N. palea (Kützing) W. Smith and N. perpusilla Rabenhorst. It was found that the three Nitzschia species require more Si > N > P whereas the Navicula species needs more N > Si >P. Where possible the results are evaluated in terms of the morphological and ecological characteristics of these diatoms.