This paper reports the preliminary results from the studies on the scanning electron microscopical studies on chrysophycean cysts collected in ponds and streams of King George Island (South Shetlands). The cysts play an important role as the survival developmental stages. Fifteen morphotypes are described, six of which are new for science. Particular attention has been paid to the anatomy of the pore, collar structure and to the ornamentation of the cyst surface.

Some 20 samples of bottom sediments of freshwater lakes collected in the Antarctic Thala Hills oasis (Enderby Land) were soaked in laboratory cultures. 85 taxa of algae were identified in these cultures: Cyanophyceae — 54, Chrysophyceae — 1, Xanthophyceae 10 and Chlorophyceae — 20 taxa. Most of these taxa are illustrated.

In the material collected in 26 stations along the course of three creeks in the vicinity of Polish Antarctic Station 183 taxa of algae have been identified: 25 of Cyanophyta, 123 of Bacillariophyceae, 2 of Xanthophyceae, 2 of Chrysophyceae and 31 of Chlorophyta. The highest species diversity was found in the algal community in Creek II (132 taxa), the second place was occupied by the "Petrified Forest Creek" (97 taxa), and the least diversified algal community was that from the "Ornithologists' Creek" (73 taxa).