PREFACE

Phycology, the study of algae, as a subject, has been taught and researched upon in Nigeria since the early 1930s. Algae are complex living organisms that have been around for at least 3 billion years. They have a long, interesting history because of their place in evolution. All land plants we consume originate from algae and new species of algae are discovered every year. They are incredibly important because they are the primary plants in both salt and freshwater aquatic environments. Despite the many decades of research and teaching, textbooks on Nigerian algae are still extremely scarce. The dearth of phycologists in Nigeria is still a major challenge to the phycological studies of numerous water bodies in Nigeria till date, culminating in unavailability of phycological texts. These were the primary motivation for writing this book.

The present book and its forerunner were derived from the original research works carried out by the authors in Nigerian water bodies, especially the Niger Delta Warri/Forcados River Estuaries. Volume I, of the “Phytoplankton Algae of Nigeria: A practical and Theoretical guide” dealt with Desmids. This exposition, volume II, concentrates on Diatoms. Diatoms are interesting and aesthetic organisms that “Live in Glass Houses, but do Not Throw Stones.”

he are amazing organisms with fascinating and breath-taking architecture. Richard B. Hoover (1979) described diatoms as “such perfect architects. They spin themselves intricate houses of opal in the sea. They form glittering pinwheels, spirals, stars, and chandeliers. There are more than twenty-five thousand species of diatoms and no shell the same”. The book provides a text for West Africa, Africa and indeed all those interested in studying diatoms of the tropical regions of the world.

Taxonomy apart, the scope of the book includes extensive uses of diatoms, encompassing conventional, modern and novel applications, in dietary supplements, insulation, absorbent and abrasion, environmental indication of climate change, environmental history, forensic application, solar panels, biofuels and nanotechnology. It is a comprehensive text addressing the ecology, distribution, taxonomic descriptions, classification, collection, preservation techniques, enumeration, adaptation, nutrition, reproduction, microscopy, and photomicrography of diatoms.

The book comprises high quality photomicrographs and Camera Lucida drawings, accompanied by taxonomic descriptions of the diatom species. This book is therefore a

valuable material for the identification of tropical diatoms including cosmopolitan species, and can be used by a myriad of audiences, including amateur/enthusiasts and specialists in the subject area. The specific illustrations of each species are uniquely and distinctly captivating. These comprise impressive images of diatoms species from this region. The book is uncomplicated and easy to use. It will make a tremendous impact on the study of diatoms in the region as well as comparative analysis with diatoms from other parts of the world.

The book is useful for Universities, Polytechnics, Research Institutes, Colleges of Education teaching Phycology, Water Resources Agencies, Nigerian Maritime Agency, Ports Authority, Water Boards, River Basin Development Authorities, Dam Authorities as well as Hydraulic & Water Resources Engineering.