Seasonal Variations in the Phosphate and Silicate Content of Sea Water during 1926 and 1927 in Relation to the Phytoplankton Crop

A comparison of the strength of the wind, Beaufort Scale, and of its direction during the periods when the vernal diatom outburst caused phosphate depletion of the surface water, has failed to indicate that there is any connection between either strength or direction and the date of the outburst. The spring sunshine still appears to be the important factor at El. 2. The sequence of the years studied as regards the main spring diatom outburst deduced from phosphate depletion at Station El is as follows: 1924, early March; 1926, late March to early April; 1925, early April; 1923, early May.