THE DETERMINATION OF CHLOROPHYLL a IN WATER CONTAINING SEDIMENT |
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| Authors: | D. C. Grobler Elizabeth Davies |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Water Affairs , Hydrological Research Institute , Private Bag X313, Pretoria, South Africa |
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| Abstract: | SUMMARY The presence of sediment at concentrations of 0,2% by mass in water samples significantly lowered the amount of chlorophyll a that could be measured. Two types of sediment differed in their ability to lower the chlorophyll a concentration. The chemically more active sediment had a marked depressive effect on the chlorophyll a concentration and the relationship between chlorophyll a and cell numbers in the samples was non-linear. It is recommended that the use of chlorophyll a as an indicator of biomass in water containing sediment should be approached with care. |
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| Keywords: | Chlorophyll determination sediments impoundments phytoplankton biomass turbid waters |
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