Effect of different light intensities on the growth of the diatom Chaetoceros calcitrans

Batch cultures of C. calcitrans were maintained indoors at a temperature range of 21 to 25 C and continuously illuminated by 40-watt daylight fluorescent lights. Cultures were exposed to 5 different intensities from 200 to 25,000 lux.Population counts show that light intensity affects growth and reproduction of the algae cultivated. A comparison of population peak growths showed cultures illuminated by 12,000 lux to have higher cell counts than those exposed to higher or lower light intensities.