standardization of environmental data and information - International ...

Area Parameters Instruments Levels of observation
Temperature, salinity
and light transmission
profiles and water
sampling
CTD meter fitted with
light
transmissometer
and altimeter
Entire water column close to
bottom; water sampling at above
depths
1 Sample
collection
2.2. Microbiological and biochemical analyses
By P.A. Loka Bharathi, Shanta Nair, Chandralata Raghukumar, C. Mohandass, NIO
Parameter Variables Methodology for analyses
Sampler
Core length
Sections
2a Microbiology Direct bacterial
counts
2b
Plate counts of
CFUs
Multiple corer, box corer
30 centimetres
0-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-25, 25-30 cm
Samples directly extruded into sterile plastic bags for
microbiological and biochemical analyses
Bacteria enumerated following Hobbie et al. 3 : aliquot of
sediment sample diluted and fixed with filter-sterilized
buffered formalin to give final concentration of 2 percent;
fixed sample ultrasonicated at 20 hertz for 30 seconds,
filtered through 0.22-? black nuclepore filter and stained
with 0.01% acridine orange for 3 minutes. Bacterial cells
counted using epifluorescence microscopy; average of 200
cells/sample counted, with counts expressed as
numbers/gram dry weight. Sediment dried at 60? C for 24
hours.
Bacteria: ¼-strength Zobell Marine Agar
Fungi: 1/5-strength Malt Extract Agar fortified with
streptomycin and penicillin to prevent bacterial growth
Incubating temperature: 5-10? C for 10-12 days
Serially diluted sample used as inoculum; numbers expressed
as CFU/g dry wt -1
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INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY