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Analysis of Cell Concentration, Volume Concentration, and Colony Size of Microcystis Via Laser Particle Analyzer

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Abstract

The analysis of the cell concentration, volume concentration, and colony size of Microcystis is widely used to provide early warnings of the occurrence of blooms and to facilitate the development of predictive tools to mitigate their impact. This study developed a new approach for the analysis of the cell concentration, volume concentration, and colony size of Microcystis by applying a laser particle analyzer. Four types of Microcystis samples (55 samples in total) were analyzed by a laser particle analyzer and a microscope. By the application of the laser particle analyzer (1) when n = 1.40 and k = 0.1 (n is the intrinsic refractive index, whereas k is absorption of light by the particle), the results of the laser particle analyzer showed good agreement with the microscopic results for the obscuration indicator, volume concentration, and size distribution of Microcystis; (2) the Microcystis cell concentration can be calculated based on its linear relationship with obscuration; and (3) the volume concentration and size distribution of Microcystis particles (including single cells and colonies) can be obtained. The analytical processes involved in this new approach are simpler and faster compared to that by microscopic counting method. From the results, it was identified that the relationship between cell concentration and volume concentration depended on the colony size of Microcystis because the intercellular space was high when the colony size was high. Calculation of cell concentration and volume concentration may occur when the colony size information is sufficient.

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Notes

  1. Cell concentration was defined as cells number of Microcystis per unit water sample.

  2. Volume concentration was defined as biovolume of Microcystis colonies per unit water sample.

  3. This is a parameter of device settings, with the meaning close to that of the corresponding physical value of the intrinsic refractive index. It is used to quantify changes in light propagation that occurs when light passes in between the particle and its surrounding medium.

  4. Obscuration O is the intensity of the scattered and diffracted light that can be used as an indicator, quantifying the concentration of particles, volume concentration and size distribution of Microcystis.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Taihu Laboratory for Lake Ecosystem Research (TLLER) for their assistance during field sampling. This study was sponsored by the National Program on Key Basic Research Project of China (2012CB719804), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK2011025), and the Hydraulic Science & Technology Project of Jiangsu Province (2012012).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Environment, Hohai University, No. 1 Xikang Road, Nanjing, 210098, People’s Republic of China

    Ming Li & Wei Zhu

  2. College of Resources and Environment, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, 712100, People’s Republic of China

    Ming Li

  3. Infrastructure Development Department, Coliban Region Water Corporation, Bendigo, VIC, 3554, Australia

    Li Gao

  4. National Engineering Research Center of Water Resources Efficient Utilization and Engineering Safety, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Zhu

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  1. Ming Li
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Correspondence to Ming Li.

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Li, M., Zhu, W. & Gao, L. Analysis of Cell Concentration, Volume Concentration, and Colony Size of Microcystis Via Laser Particle Analyzer. Environmental Management 53, 947–958 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-014-0252-8

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