Ceramic tile algal biomass estimation

Knowledge graph centered on Ceramic tile algal biomass estimation with 36 nodes and 125 connections. Top connected: Ligusticum porteri, Bacteria, aquatic insects, Ambystoma, Ambystoma tigrinum.

Method synopsis

Use of ceramic tiles as standardized substrates for measuring benthic algal biomass via chlorophyll-a extraction and fluorometry. Includes grazed vs ungrazed comparisons to assess herbivory effects.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 2 papers 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 — Nonlinear effects of consumer density on multiple ecosystem processes (2012), Journal of Animal Ecology. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Measure benthic algal biomass
   Placed unglazed ceramic tiles (6.5cm² area) in each cage with half on bottom ('grazed' by caddisfly larvae) and half suspended 10cm from bottom ('ungrazed'). Three grazed and three ungrazed tiles removed from each cage on weeks 2, 3 and 4. Tiles immediately stored on ice, then frozen at -8°C. Buffered ethanol (90%) was added to lyse algal cells and release photosynthetic pigments. After 12-24h, 4mL aliquot analyzed for chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration using Turner Designs Trilogy Laboratory Fluorometer.
   Quantities: 6.5cm² ceramic tiles, 3 grazed + 3 ungrazed per cage, suspended 10cm from bottom, 90% buffered ethanol extraction, 4mL aliquots, 12-24h extraction timeDuration: Tiles removed on weeks 2, 3, and 4; 12-24h extraction periodConditions: Stored on ice immediately, frozen at -8°C for transport
   Equipment: unglazed ceramic tiles, 90% buffered ethanol, Turner Designs Trilogy Laboratory Fluorometer model #7200

Typical Equipment

• unglazed ceramic tiles
• 90% buffered ethanol
• Turner Designs Trilogy Laboratory Fluorometer model #7200

Output Measurements

• chlorophyll-a concentration
• benthic algal biomass

Papers Using This Protocol (2)

Species Studied With This Protocol