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A modified method for studies of electron transport system activity in freshwater sediments

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Abstract

A method for measuring respiratory electron transport system activity (ETSA) in freshwater sediments is presented. It is a modification of the methods used for marine sediments by Christensen & Packard (1977) and Olànczuk-Neyman & Vosjan (1977). The assay is based on the reduction of the electron acceptor 2-(p iodophenyl) 3 (p nitrophenyl) 5 phenyl tetrazolium chloride (INT) by cell-free homogenates of sediment samples. This study shows that the method is sensitive, has good accuracy and can be used for freshwater sediments. The accuracy decreases at high turbidity and as yet has only been tested for sediments of the gyttja type. Untreated samples can be stored at low temperature for several weeks without any loss of activity. ETSA decreases with the depth of sediment and with increased amount of allochthonous material in the sediment.

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  1. Institute of Limnology, Uppsala University, Box 557, S-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden

    Anders Broberg

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  1. Anders Broberg
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Broberg, A. A modified method for studies of electron transport system activity in freshwater sediments. Hydrobiologia 120, 181–187 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00032140

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00032140

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