Composition and Biomass of Phytoplankton
7. Calculate amount of pigment per cell:
EXERCISES
hi / II (/lg chi a)(lliter)(l ml of initial sample)
/lgc ace =
(liter)(l 000 ml)(no. cells/ml)
I hi / II
/lg chi a/cell
/lmo c a ce = -----"---'-------(molecular weight of chi a, 894)
OPTION 1. FIELD TRIPS AND LABORATORY ANALYSES
161
1. Collect water samples at regular depth intervals from the central depression of a lake or
reservoir with a scrubbed Van Dorn or similar water sampler. Dispense the water into clean,
amber polyethylene bottles. Collect replicates at each depth.
2. If possible, collect other vertical series (a) within a littoral zone among dense stands of
higher aquatic plants and (b) in the open water at the mouth of a major inlet stream.
3. If possible, make comparative collections and analyses of the phytoplankton from vertical
profiles in (a) a relatively unproductive oligotrophic lake; (b) a productive, eutrophic lake
or reservoir; (c) the open water of a bog; and (d) a stream at several points along its drainage
(in the central stream and in backwaters from downstream and upstream stations, and
directly below the outlet from a lake). In stratified waters, determine the temperature profile
at meter intervals.
4. In the laboratory, work through fresh subsamples from several different sites to familiarize
yourself with the kinds of algae present.
S. Preserve several samples with Lugol's solution, as discussed earlier, from each collection
site and depth.
6. Make quantitative analyses of (a) the number of each species and (b) the size (dimensions)
and volume of major algal species. Compare as many of the different methods discussed as
possible, especially the sedimentation technique, the Palmer-Maloney counting cells, and
the method of filtration onto membrane filters with subsequent clearing and mounting onto
slides.
7. Estimate the amount of algal carbon biomass from your estimates of cellular volume.
8. Determine the concentrations of algal pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids) and phaeopigments from water samples of a vertical profile from, or within, a lake or several lakes or
along a stream gradient. From replicated samples, determine the coefficients or variance
(see Appendix 2).
OPTION 2. LABORATORY EXERCISES
1. Using water samples provided by your instructor, work through fresh subsamples from
several different sites to familiarize yourself with the general species of algae encountered.
2. Preserve a number of samples with Lugol's solution, as discussed earlier, from each collection
site and depth.
3. Make comparative quantitative analyses of (a) the number of each species and (b) the size
dimensions and volume of major algal species. Use as many of the different methods discussed
earlier as possible, particularly to compare quantitative results obtained by the sedimentation
technique, the Palmer-Maloney counting cell, and the method of filtration onto membrane
filters with subsequent clearing and mounting onto slides.
7. Calculate amount of pigment per cell:
EXERCISES
hi / II (/lg chi a)(lliter)(l ml of initial sample)
/lgc ace =
(liter)(l 000 ml)(no. cells/ml)
I hi / II
/lg chi a/cell
/lmo c a ce = -----"---'-------(molecular weight of chi a, 894)
OPTION 1. FIELD TRIPS AND LABORATORY ANALYSES
161
1. Collect water samples at regular depth intervals from the central depression of a lake or
reservoir with a scrubbed Van Dorn or similar water sampler. Dispense the water into clean,
amber polyethylene bottles. Collect replicates at each depth.
2. If possible, collect other vertical series (a) within a littoral zone among dense stands of
higher aquatic plants and (b) in the open water at the mouth of a major inlet stream.
3. If possible, make comparative collections and analyses of the phytoplankton from vertical
profiles in (a) a relatively unproductive oligotrophic lake; (b) a productive, eutrophic lake
or reservoir; (c) the open water of a bog; and (d) a stream at several points along its drainage
(in the central stream and in backwaters from downstream and upstream stations, and
directly below the outlet from a lake). In stratified waters, determine the temperature profile
at meter intervals.
4. In the laboratory, work through fresh subsamples from several different sites to familiarize
yourself with the kinds of algae present.
S. Preserve several samples with Lugol's solution, as discussed earlier, from each collection
site and depth.
6. Make quantitative analyses of (a) the number of each species and (b) the size (dimensions)
and volume of major algal species. Compare as many of the different methods discussed as
possible, especially the sedimentation technique, the Palmer-Maloney counting cells, and
the method of filtration onto membrane filters with subsequent clearing and mounting onto
slides.
7. Estimate the amount of algal carbon biomass from your estimates of cellular volume.
8. Determine the concentrations of algal pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids) and phaeopigments from water samples of a vertical profile from, or within, a lake or several lakes or
along a stream gradient. From replicated samples, determine the coefficients or variance
(see Appendix 2).
OPTION 2. LABORATORY EXERCISES
1. Using water samples provided by your instructor, work through fresh subsamples from
several different sites to familiarize yourself with the general species of algae encountered.
2. Preserve a number of samples with Lugol's solution, as discussed earlier, from each collection
site and depth.
3. Make comparative quantitative analyses of (a) the number of each species and (b) the size
dimensions and volume of major algal species. Use as many of the different methods discussed
earlier as possible, particularly to compare quantitative results obtained by the sedimentation
technique, the Palmer-Maloney counting cell, and the method of filtration onto membrane
filters with subsequent clearing and mounting onto slides.