Includes bibliographical references (pages 141-166) and index.

Introduction -- The characteristics of algal growth in cultures of limited volume -- The growth of algae in continuous and synchronous culture -- Metabolic patterns and growth -- The general features of phytoplankton growth in lakes and the sea -- Increase in phytoplankton in temperate waters in the spring -- Some other aspects of phytoplankton periodicity -- Phytoplankton distribution and seasonal succession. Phytoplankton--the passively floating or weakly swimming plant life found in bodies of water--is generally inconspicuous. It is of basic importance in lakes and seas, however, as the primary producer of the organic material on which other forms of aquatic life depend; and it is probable that its total photosynthetic output exceeds that of land vegetation. This book reviews the information gained from culture studies in the laboratory on the growth kinetics and metabolism of algae and considers to what extent this information is applicable to phytoplankton populations in nature.