Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
A A
Royal Netherlands
Institute for Sea Research

Phytoplankton series

This series of microscopic images illustrates the yearly rhythm of phytoplankton in the Marsdiep. Although for each month a characteristic species has been selected January 2004 up to December 2006,  it is incorrect to assume that phytoplankton development and succession is similar each year. 

January
January
Pediastrum | Freshwater green-algae, among which Pediastrum cells, are common in the Marsdiep.
February
February
Odontella aurita | Survives the winter at the bottom of the Marsdiep, but rises to the surface in spring.
March
March
Thalassionema pseudonitzschioides | Often the first species of the diatom bloom in early spring.
April
April
Rhizosolenia hebetata f. semispina | The many sparkling needles could even be seen with the naked eye.
May
May
Haptophyta Phaeocystis globosa | takes its chance and starts to reproduce at a very high rate.
June
June
Noctiluca scintillans | When the sea shines at night this phytoplankton species is inhabiting our waters.
July
July
Guinardia delicatula | If you think that algae do not suffer from illness, you are wrong.
August
August
Guinardia striata | Hardly any nutrients remain available for algae growth after the spring bloom.
September
September
Chaetoceros socialis | Renewed phytoplankton growth usually occurs in September.
October
October
Coscinodiscus wailesii | The largest diatom of the Marsdiep (and of the North Sea).
November
November
Bacteriastrum hyalinum | Each organism has its own strategy to survive harsh times.
December
December
Odontella sinensis | Several colorless bell-shaped ciliates (Vorticella) uses this large diatom as a taxi driver.

Departments

Research

Facilities

Jobs

NIOZ is part of the institutes organisation of NWO

Logo NWO
© 2024 NIOZ
New website for NIOZ

This year we are going to redesign and technically improve the NIOZ website. We would like to take your opinion as website visitor into account.

By answering 10 questions you can help us enormously! It will take you no longer than 4 minutes. You can win a NIOZ t-shirt and a book voucher to the value of EUR 25 if you fill in the questions.

Thank you for your help!

No, sorry! Yes! I'll help out!