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Optical plankton analyser: a flow cytometer for plankton analysis, II: Specifications
G B Dubelaar1, A C Groenewegen, W Stokdijk
1Radiobiological Institute TNO, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
Cytometry
|September 1, 1989
Summary
The Optical Plankton Analyzer (OPA) is a novel flow cytometer designed for phytoplankton analysis. It offers extended particle size range and dynamic range, improving phytoplankton detection and characterization.
Area of Science:
- Oceanography
- Marine Biology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Traditional flow cytometers have limitations in analyzing the full spectrum of phytoplankton sizes and dynamic ranges.
- Accurate phytoplankton analysis is crucial for understanding marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the Optical Plankton Analyzer (OPA), a new flow cytometer for phytoplankton analysis.
- To highlight the OPA's extended particle size and dynamic range capabilities compared to existing instruments.
- To present the instrument's design, novel quantification technique, and performance.
Main Methods:
- Description of the OPA's optics, hydraulics, and electronics, including a low fluid shear cuvette.
- Introduction of a new pulse quantification technique called digital integration.
- Analysis of field samples, including Microcystis aeruginosa colonies, to demonstrate performance.
Main Results:
- The OPA analyzes particles from 500 microns width and over 1,000 microns length.
- Achieved dynamic ranges of 10,000 to 100,000, with one sample showing 10^6.
- Demonstrated effective handling of both short and long particles with a large dynamic range.
Conclusions:
- The OPA provides a significant advancement in phytoplankton analysis due to its extended size and dynamic range.
- The digital integration technique is key to the OPA's ability to analyze diverse particle characteristics.
- The instrument's specifications and performance metrics are detailed, showing its potential for marine research.