A simplified method of phytoplankton counting

Willén, Eva

doi:10.1080/00071617600650551

Cited by 139 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Assessing 90% of the phytoplankton biomass in the microscope, as recommended by Willén (1976), would not have revealed the presence of phytoplankton groups other than diatoms in the Si-enriched enclosures during the last 5 d of the experiment (Figs. 2 & 5).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2 & 5). This fact is important, because an analysis based on microscopy assessing 90% of the phytoplankton biomass would have characterised samples taken from the Si-enriched enclosures during the last 5 d of the investigation period as environments with low phytoplankton diversity, with only 3 diatom species present (Willén 1976, Margalef 1978. In contrast, both epifluorescence microscopy and pigment analyses using the CHEMTAX program revealed the presence of at least 4 additional algal classes, making up a 'background population' in the diatom-dominated environments that was similar to that in the enclosures without silicate enrichment (Figs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the 1970s, a simplified method, whereby only 90% of the phytoplankton biomass is assessed, came into use (Willén 1976), and the time for analysis decreased. Routine analyses are usually performed using preserved liquid samples in which the chlorophyll a (chl a) is degraded and species identification is only possible by morphological characteristics, making it often impossible to discriminate between photoautotrophic and heterotrophic flagellates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Routine quantification of phytoplankton groups—microscopy or pigment analyses?

Havskum¹,

Schlüter²,

Scharek³

et al. 2004

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Phytoplankton pigments in samples taken from nutrient-enriched and non-enriched 3 m 3 seawater enclosures were separated and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The enclosures were with and without inorganic (N, P, Si) and organic (glucose, C) nutrient enrichments, resulting in a variation of phytoplankton groups in time and space. The relative contribution of the major phytoplankton groups to the total chlorophyll a (i.e. chlorophyll a plus chlorophyllide a) was estimated by the CHEMTAX program. The results were compared to phytoplankton groups identified and quantified by light and epifluorescence microscopy. For the pigmented flagellate groups the results obtained by microscopy and pigment analyses using the CHEMTAX program showed similar trends. The picocyanobacteria were readily quantified by microscopy and the results were similar to those obtained by flow-cytometry, while the CHEMTAX program for the cyanobacteria revealed different trends. Microscopy and pigment analyses provided similar trends in diatom population development. Estimated diatom contributions to total phytoplankton biomass, however, were considerably higher when based on microscopy than when based on the CHEMTAX program, especially in Si-amended enclosures. Total chlorophyll a:carbon ratios for diatoms were at the lower end of a previously reported range between 1:27 and 1:67. For the pigmented flagellate groups the total chlorophyll a:carbon ratios were above that range. In routine monitoring of phytoplankton we recommend the use of the CHEMTAX program based on HPLC pigment analyses accompanied by a screening for the dominating species by microscopy, and by flow-cytometry for quantification of picocyanobacteria.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Routine quantification of phytoplankton groups—microscopy or pigment analyses?

Havskum¹,

Schlüter²,

Scharek³

et al. 2004

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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show abstract

“…and qualitative analysis of phytoplankton: For algal counting, the simplified methods described by Willen (1976) and Hobro and Willen (1977) were followed. Counts of phytoplanktonic algae (unicellular, colonial or filamentous) were expressed as cells per liter.…”

Section: Quantitativementioning

confidence: 99%

Limnological Studies on the Wetland Lake, Al-Asfar, with Special References to Heavy Metal Accumulation by Fish

Fahmy¹,

Fathi²

2011

American Journal of Environmental Sciences

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Problem statement: Al-Asfar Lake is one from the important shallow wetland lakes. It is located on the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, Al-Hassa Province. However, much of their limnology and its biotic information are still unknown to the scientific community. The study aims to follow variations in physico-chemical characteristics, phytoplankton and to determine the sort of pollutants such as heavy metals that are affecting the lake. Heavy metals accumulation by fish is also investigated to assess the public health risks associated with consuming fish harvested from this area. Approach: A regular visit was monitoring the spring over a period of one-year (January 2010-December 2010). Sediment, surface water samples, Phytoplankton and fishes were collected seasonally from different sites within the lake. Results: The data revealed that the maximum content of Cd (0.5 ppm), Cu (2.62 ppm) and Zn (2.6 ppm) were recorded at 5 and 15 cm depth, respectively. Noteworthy is that the highest value of Pb was 7.7 ppm at 1.0 cm depth. The physic-chemical characteristics were subjected to seasonal variations. The data shows that the concentrations of metals in water were found in the following order: Pb 2+ > Cu +2 > Zn 2+ > Cd 2+ > Mn +2 . The data also shows that there are marked seasonal differences in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the phytoplankton communities in AlAsfar Lake water. The results confirm the differences of heavy metal accumulation in the different tissues of lake fishes. The highest concentrations were found in kidney, except for Cd and Cu which is found in liver to be highest. The lowest levels were detected in the muscle. Conclusion: The levels of heavy metals recorded in water were generally high, when compared to the international Permissible limits. The analysis of phytoplankton of Al-Asfar Lake indicates that the water of Lake Al-Asfar can be considered as eutrophic. The fishes can be useful as bioindicator of the degree of pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Al-Asfar is indicates heavy polluted in autumn and winter and moderate pollution in spring and summer.

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“…Phytoplankton counts were done using a Wild inverted microscope following the Utermöhl technique [24] . For counting, the simplified methods described by Willen and Hobro-Willen was followed [25,26] . The counts of phytoplanktonic algae (unicellular, colonial or filamentous) expressed as cells per mL.…”

Section: Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis Of Planktonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water Quality and Planktonic Communities in Al-Khadoud Spring, Al-Hassa,Saudi Arabia

Fathi¹,

Alkahtani²

2009

American J. of Environmental Sciences

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Problem statement: Al-Khadoud spring is one of the most important water resources in AlHassa Governorate, Saudi Arabia. However, much of its biotic information is still unknown. This study presented preliminary ecological information of this aquatic body. The aim of this research was to study the water characteristics and the planktonic organisms inhibiting Al-Khadoud spring and its irrigational channels for a period of 1 year. Approach: A regular visit was monitoring the spring over a period of 1 year (June 2007 to may 2008). Physico-chemical characteristics of spring water were determined. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of Plankton (Phytoplankton or zooplankton) were also investigated. Results: All the water quality variables measured showed considerable seasonal variation. The data of this study showed that there were marked seasonal differences in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the phytoplankton communities in Al-Khadoud spring and its irrigation canal. The changes in total algal counts throughout the investigation coincided closely with in Chlorophyceae abundance. Thirty six species were identified allover the period of the investigation. Out of these, 9 species belong to Chlorophyceae, 17 belong to Bacillariophyceae, 7 to Cyanophyceae and 3 to Euglenophyceae. Cyclotella meneghiniana Kützing, Nitzschia closterium Ehernberg, Fragilaria capucina Desmazieres, Surirella ovalis Breb, Actinastrum sp., Chlorella vulgaris Beyerinck, Scenedesmus quadriquda Breb, Oscillatoria sp. and Oscillatoria subbrevis Schmidle were observed in a high rank of occurrence. The phytoplankton crop showed a remarkable increase as compared with the previous records. The data showed that the zooplanktonic fauna identified in this aquatic body is a typical of the permanent freshwater and brackish water. Eleven species were recorded, 5 belonged to Cladoceran, 4 belonged to Rotifera and 2 belonged to Chironomid. Zooplankton species like Thermocyclops hyalinus, Mesocyclops sp., Moina micrura, Brachionus caudatus, B. falcatus and Filina longiseta were recorded at all sites investigated allover the study period. The scarcity of zooplankton species from Al-Khadoud spring and its irrigation canal could be due to the nature of these reservoirs as both receiving reuse-drainage and treated sewage water. Conclusion: These results indicated that after receiving water from the outlets either treated sewage water or of re-use drainage water, the spring water had an obvious increase in electrical conductivity, COD, total alkalinity, nitrates, phosphorus, chloride and potassium. These features indicated pollution with organic wastes, increased salinity and deteriorated oxygenated state. Based on this we can say that all these factors can be affected both soil and plants cultivated in the area of Al-Hassa.

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A simplified method of phytoplankton counting

Cited by 139 publications

References 4 publications

Routine quantification of phytoplankton groups—microscopy or pigment analyses?

Routine quantification of phytoplankton groups—microscopy or pigment analyses?

Limnological Studies on the Wetland Lake, Al-Asfar, with Special References to Heavy Metal Accumulation by Fish

Water Quality and Planktonic Communities in Al-Khadoud Spring, Al-Hassa,Saudi Arabia

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