Knowledge graph centered on Ash-free dry mass with 57 nodes and 169 connections. Top connected: Bacteria, aquatic insects, Baetis, Trichoptera, Baetis bicaudatus.
Method synopsis
Collection and processing of biofilm samples from natural and artificial substrates to quantify biomass, algal content, and nutrient content through AFDM, chlorophyll-a, and phosphorus analysis.
Synthesized from method descriptions across 4 papers using this protocol.
Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation
Scrub top surface of 3-4 randomly selected softball-sized rocks with nylon Smoker's toothbrush, estimate rock surface area by photographing and calculating with ImageJ2 software
Quantities: 3-4 rocks per sampling date, approximately bi-weekly sampling starting before first uptake measurement in 2018, began sampling rock algae approximately bi-weekly after flood in 2017Duration: Bi-weekly sampling throughout growing seasonsConditions: Sampling frequency adjusted based on biofilm development after disturbance events
Equipment: nylon Smoker's toothbrush, ImageJ2 software for area calculation
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
Process biofilm samples for chlorophyll-a analysis
Transfer chlorophyll-a sub-samples to 25 mm Pall AE filters, freeze until analysis, extract with 3 mL MgCO3 buffered 90% ethanol for 6-12 hours, measure concentration with Turner Designs Trilogy Fluorometer Model #7200
Quantities: 25 mm filter sub-samples processed for each biofilm sampleDuration: 6-12 hour ethanol extraction periodConditions: Samples frozen until analysis, extraction conducted in ethanol buffer
Equipment: 25 mm Pall AE filters, MgCO3 buffered 90% ethanol, Turner Designs Trilogy Fluorometer Model #7200
Process biofilm samples for AFDM and percent phosphorus
Dry remaining biofilm slurries at 500°C for two hours to determine ash-free dry mass, digest sub-samples with K2S2O8 in diluted deionized water and analyze for percent phosphorus content using standard colorimetry
Quantities: Sub-samples processed from each biofilm slurry collectedDuration: Two hour combustion at 500°CConditions: High temperature combustion for AFDM determination
Equipment: K2S2O8 for digestion, standard colorimetry equipment