Some lipogenic, eukaryotic, picopleuston algae from the Caribbean region

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Abstract
A method was devised for isolating cultures of picopleuston algae (mostly 1–3 μm in diameter) from the sea surface. From 128 samples collected on various coasts in the Caribbean we isolated about 60 clones of eukaryotes, most of which were subcultured free of bacteria and characterized morphologically and physiologically. The predominant genera were green algae (Stichococcus, Nannochloris, Chlorella): we also isolated one eustigmatophyte (?Ellipsoidion). Various genera of diatoms, and a few cyanophytes (Synechococcus, Synechocystis spp.), also collected, were not characterized further. Many strains were shown to accumulate intracellular lipids, especially in media depleted of assimilable nitrogen. The synthesis of oil globules presumably accounts for the buoyancy of the cells, and consequently for at least some of the lipids reported to accumulate at the air–sea interface.