INVESTIGATION OF A DIATOM POPULATION FROM MINE TAILINGS IN NYE COUNTY, NEVADA, U. S. A.(1)

A diatom population consisting of 31 taxonomic entries was found in tailings from an abandoned mine near Ichthyosaur Paleontologic State Monument, Nye County, Nevada, U.S.A. The diatom population of the mine tailings resembled those found in dry lakes of the vicinity which are similar to some soil diatom populations. The mine tailings population was very similar to some Quaternary diatom assemblages in the vicinity and in other parts of the conterminous United States. The diatom population indicated that alkaline and oligohalobous conditions were prevalent with associated "indifference" with respect to the current spectrum.