Estimating phytoplankton carbon from microscopic counts: an application for riverine systems

Algal biomass, in addition to cell numbers, is a measure of the successful conversion of inorganic to organic carbon. Consequently, carbon is the main currency used in aquatic models and in flux and budget studies. On the oth er hand, microscopic observation and counts remain the only means for deter mining species composition and biomass, which is relevant to many aspects o f aquatic ecology. In this study, we focus on the way to convert biovolume to carbon biomass for algal assemblages of two rivers, using a computerized system that records dimensions of phytoplankton (Gosselain & Hamilton, 200 0). We first compare different equations found in the literature for conver ting algal cell volume to cellular carbon content. We then evaluate the acc uracy of a biomass estimate based on less time-consuming measurements, usin g pre-determined biovolume values instead of measuring cells in all samples . Biovolume/carbon equations are evaluated using total phytoplankton carbon biomass determined from measured chlorophyll a. Equations established for freshwater taxa seem to provide better estimates of algal biomass in the tw o case studies presented here, the Rideau and Meuse rivers (Canada and Belg ium, respectively) than do more numerous equations defined for marine taxa. Furthermore, equations that make a distinction between diatoms and other a lgae appear more appropriate than those considering all algal groups as a w hole. Finally, mean values of algal biovolumes, determined using sufficient measurements of cell dimensions from representative sampling series, may p rove sufficient for carbon estimates of taxa in relatively homogenous size ranges. The careful choice of appropriate volumetric shapes and taxa catego ries remains of prime importance to get precise results.