Uptake of hydrocarbons by the marine diatom Cyclotella cryptica

Abstract

The accumulation of exogenous hydrocarbons by the marine diatom Cyclotella cryptica grown in culture has been studied using gas chromatography. Exposure of the alga to paraffins for 10 days results in accumulation of n-alkanes having between C13 and C16 carbon atoms. The C16 level in the accumulated fraction is twice as high as that in the original oil. © 1980 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.