In this study, we evaluated the toxic effects of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn) on the population growth rate (r) of the marine diatom, Skeletonema costatum. S. costatum. The population growth rate (r) of the species was determined after 96 hrs. of exposure to Cd (0, 0.63, 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, 10.00 ppm), Cu (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50 ppm) and Zn (0, 0.31, 0.63, 1.25, 2.00, 2.50, 5.00 ppm). It was observed that 'r' in the control (absence of Cd, Cu and Zn) were greater than 0.05, however suddenly decreased with increased heavy metal concentrations. Cd, Cu and Zn reduced 'r' in a dose-dependent manner and a significant reduction were occurred at concentration of greater than 1.25, 1.25 and 2.50 ppm, respectively. Based on the toxicity, the heavy metal were ranked as Cu>Zn>Cd, with EC50 values of 1.11, 2.13 and 6.84 ppm, respectively. The lowest-observed-effective-concentration (LOEC) of 'r' in exposed to Cd, Cu and Zn were 1.25, 1.00, 2.00 ppm, respectively. Precisely, a concentration of greater than 1.25 ppm of Cd, 1.00 ppm of Cu and 2.00 ppm of Zn in marine ecosystems induced toxic effect on the 'r' of S. costatum. Based on our results, we suggested that the 'r' of S. costatum might be a useful bio indicator for the toxicity assessment of heavy metals in marine ecosystems.