Biofilm substrate colonization

Knowledge graph centered on Biofilm substrate colonization with 16 nodes and 32 connections. Top connected: Bacteria, mountain hydrology, benthic algae, Ash-free dry mass, nutrient spiraling.

Method synopsis

Installation of standardized ceramic tiles in stream habitat to provide uniform substrates for biofilm development and subsequent biomass quantification.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 1 paper using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — High-discharge disturbance does not alter the seasonal trajectory of nutrient uptake in a montane stream (2021), Hydrobiologia. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Install ceramic tiles for biofilm colonization
   Install 5 x 10 cm unglazed ceramic tiles on streambed substrate on 6 July 2017 and 20 June 2018, positioned 22 and 27 days after snowmelt SQ50 respectively
   Quantities: Tiles installed to minimize tile loss during high flows, exact number not specifiedDuration: Tiles left in place for entire growing seasonConditions: After snowmelt floods receded to minimize tile loss
   Equipment: 5 x 10 cm unglazed ceramic tiles
2. Sample tile biofilms
   Scrub installed tiles in same manner as rocks, calculate total surface area using number of tiles scrubbed since all tiles had same dimensions
   Quantities: n = 3-7 tiles scrubbed per sampling dateDuration: Sampling conducted throughout growing seasons after tile installationConditions: Tiles scrubbed using same methodology as natural rock substrates
   Equipment: nylon Smoker's toothbrush

Typical Equipment

• 5 x 10 cm unglazed ceramic tiles
• nylon Smoker's toothbrush

Output Measurements

• biofilm AFDM
• chlorophyll-a content
• percent phosphorus

Papers Using This Protocol (1)

Species Studied With This Protocol