Processamento de amostras e contagem de organismos fitoplanctônicos

Abstract

Laboratory observations about the interferences of undue field sampling, equalizing, han-dling, tiansport, preservation and keeping procedures on the results of quantitative/qualitative phytoplank-ton analysis are commented. These interferences cause significam sample changes leading either to quan-titative or qualitative errors. The most significam errors can be attributed to sampling, equalizing and preservation procedures. These may cause breakdown of cells/colonies, loss of flagella, adhesion of cells that still remain on the surface layer of the sample, even after preservation. ln order to solve these problems, the standardization of methodology is recomomended, from the very beginning of field collection until the final handling of the samples.