Monterey Wharf II Weekly Phytoplankton Monitoring Sample Collection and Processing Notes
A vertical net tow is collected using a 25µm mesh plankton net with a 200mL cod - end piece at a depth of 5 m .
Total phytoplankton biomass is estimated from in vivo chlorphyll fluorescence on dark adapted net and whole water samples using a calibrated Aquaflor fluorometer ( Turner Designs ) .
Vertical whole water samples are collected using a VanDorn at discreet 1m intervals and integrated over 5m .
Species relative abundance is assessed microscopically from 1 % glutaraldehyde preserved samples quantified on a nanoplankton counting chamber ( Phycotech ) .
The following samples are processed and archived for later analysis :
Nutrients : Whole water is passed through a 0.2 µm syringe filter and stored at - 20°C .
Nucleic Acids : 50 mLs of the net tow sample are filtered through 1.2µm Isopore membrane filter ( Millipore ) and extracted into Trizol ( Invitrogen ) before being archived at - 80°C .
Protein and Amino Acids : 50mLs of the net tow are filtered through 2µm Isopore membrane filter ( Millipore ) and extracted into 80 % Methanol before being archived at - 80°C .
Pigment : 25mLs of the net tow are filtered through Glass Microfibre Filters ( Whatman ) and archived at - 80°C .
