Flow cytometry for algal studies

Laser flow cytometric instrumentation has been developed in order to make very rapid measurements on phytoplankton samples for application in water quality research. The apparatus has been specially designed to make multi-angle light scattering and autofluorescence measurements on individual cells in a flow system. Quantitative LFC measurements are made of optical characteristics on samples of a minimum of 5000 cells, with a total measurement time of < 30 s. These measurements permit the identification and enumeration of algae by species. The instrumentation has been used to make the first laboratory ecotoxicological studies on freshwater phytoplankton by flow cytometry, in which the effects of trace metals and NTA on mixed algal populations have been investigated.