THE INFLUENCE OF LIGHT-INTENSITY ON DIMETHYLSULFIDE PRODUCTION BY A MARINE DIATOM

The influence of light intensity on the production of the ps dimethyls ulfide (DMS) by Skeletonema costatum was studied in batch cultures. Cu lture pairs were grown under identical conditions except for light int ensity. Cultures displayed a spike of dissolved DMS following inoculat ion and an increase in dissolved DMS during log phase and stationary p hase. These increases were slower and less pronounced under reduced il lumination. DMS production per cell declined throughout log phase unde r reduced light, but remained constant throughout log phase under full illumination. The total mass of DMS produced under reduced light was less than half that produced under full illumination.