Studies on ecology of diatoms

Abstract

Diatoms are abundant in the phytoplankton and phytobenthos of aquatic ecosystems, whatever the latitude. Within the aquatic realm, diatoms further extend their habitats from the pelagic to benthic environment and are also found to colonize various submerged, living and nonliving surfaces. In each of these habitats, diatoms characterize a particular niche. This study illustrates the ecology of diatoms in various habitats such as; 1) Diatoms in the pelagic and benthic environment 2) Diatoms in the microfilm 3) Diatoms in the epibiotic community 4) Influence of diatoms on cyprid metamorphosis of Balanus amphitrite