SUCCESSION AND CURRENT DEMAND RELATIONSHIPS OF DIATOMS ON ARTIFICIAL SUBSTRATES IN PRATER'S CREEK,SOUTH CAROLINA1,2

A study concerning the colonization of glass slides by diatoms was conducted in Prater's Creek, Pickens County. S. C., to observe qualitatively and quantitatively the responses of the periphytic community to current velocities for varied lengths of time. Over short time periods (1, 2 and 4 weeks) diatoms seemed to adhere best at slow current velocities. Over longer periods (6 weeks) growth, of the initial colonizers seemed to be the density governing factor; consequently, the highest diatom densities developed at the higher current, velocities. The interaction of time and current resulted in a reversal of the diatom deposition phenomenon.