Observations on Surf Phytoplankton Blooms Along the Coasts of South Africa

Abstract
Regular surf phytoplankton blooms caused by the diatom Anaulus mediterraneus Grunow are recorded for the south coast of Southern Africa. Abundance, distribution, cell density and diurnal periodicity in buoyancy are described for the blooms. The blooms are probably fuelled by beach-generated nutrients and flotation is probably the mechanism that allows positioning of cells in optimal conditions over rip currents. The importance of these blooms in surf-zone energetics is emphasized.

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