Abstract
Carbon: nitrogen ratios in particulate matter collected from the surf at Copalis Beach, Washington, from April to September 1972 ranged between 5.0 (April, May) and 11.2 (July). They were considered characteristic of living algae in the surf, mainly the diatom species Chaetoceros armatum. The high ratio in summer could result from a slower growth rate of the diatoms or increased irradiance. The relationship between nitrate reductase (NR) activity and C : N ratios in surf samples and laboratory cultures was also investigated. In exponentially growing cultures of C. armatum C : N ratios varied from 4.2 to 13.5, depending on culture conditions.

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