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Chapter A7. Biological Indicators

National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (TWRI Book 9)

7.4 Algal Biomass Indicators

By Julie A. Hambrook Berkman and Michael G. Canova

This section of Chapter 7 is available as a pdf file:
Algal Biomass Indicators, 8/2007 (1MB PDF)

Download a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.

Abstract

Indicators of algal biomass are used to assess water quality in both moving (lotic) and stillwater (lentic) ecosystems. Algal biomass in a water body can be estimated in three ways: (1) by quantifying chlorophyll a (CHL a), (2) by measuring carbon biomass as ash-free dry mass (AFDM), or (3) by measuring the particulate organic carbon (POC) in a sample. The CHL a procedure measures photosynthetic pigment common to all types of algae, while AFDM and POC procedures measure the carbon in a filtered water sample.

Contents

7.4 Algal biomass indicators

7.4.1 - Pre-sampling considerations and plans

7.4.2 - In vivo measurement of chlorophyll and phycocyanin

7.4.3 - Phytoplankton sampling procedures for chlorophyll a and particulate organic carbon

7.4.4 - Periphyton sampling procedures for chlorophyll and ash-free dry mass in streams, lakes, reservoirs, and large rivers

7.4.5 - Sample processing and preservation

7.4.6 - Field-data documentation, labeling, and sample packaging and shipping

7.4.7 - Selected references for algal biomass indicators

7.4.8 - Acknowledgments

Appendix A7-A - Examples of field forms

Comments/Errata page

Return to Chapter A7 Biological Indicators Table of Contents

Return to Field Manual Table of Contents

Citation for Section 7.4

Hambrook Berkman, J.A., and Canova, M.G., 2007, Algal biomass indicators (ver. 1.0): U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. A7, section 7.4, August, available online only from http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A/.