Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

PC08 New Techniques and Technologies from Single Cells to the Global Ocean

Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2001

Location: Southwest Hall

Olson, R, J, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole , USA, rolson@whoi.edu

Sosik, H, M, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, USA, hsosik@whoi.edu

Shalapyonok, A, , Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, USA, ashalapyonok@whoi.edu

AN IN SITU FLOW CYTOMETER FOR THE OPTICAL ANALYSIS OF INDIVIDUAL PARTICLES IN COASTAL WATERS

Flow cytometry is a valuable tool for the analysis of phytoplankton and other suspended particles because of its speed and quantitative measurements, but the method's oceanographic application has been limited by the need to take discrete water samples for analysis on board ship or in the laboratory. For this reason, we have developed an in situ flow cytometer, which can operate unattended. The new instrument utilizes a 100-mW diode-pumped 532 nm laser to measure light scattering and fluorescence of particles as small as Synechococcus cells. For operation at the LEO-15 mooring site off New Jersey, it is connected to shore by power and communications cables, and is controlled by a microcomputer whose programming can be loaded remotely. The sampling rate is adjustable. Integrated signals (2 light scattering angles and 2 fluorescence emission bands) from each particle are transmitted to shore for archiving, and are accessible remotely by Internet, and can be examined in real time to monitor performance. Examples of results, including diel cycles in light scattering and pigment fluorescence from natural populations of pico- and nanophytoplankton, will be presented.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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