The Use of Immunocytochemical Techniques for Phytoplankton Growth Rate Estimation Via Cell Cycle Analysis

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Single-cell techniques for measuring species-specific growth rates and quantum yield in situ have been developed and tested. The growth rates of individual species of marine phytoplankton can be determined from data on a species' diel cycle of DNA replication. The species-specific quantum yield is determined from single-cell absorption spectra and the spectral distribution of daily integrated light intensity. These techniques have been tested in field conditions, and the results agree with related lab studies. In this research, Dr. Carpenter and collaborators will develop a simpler and more widely applicable method of measuring growth rates by using cell cycle markers. This new approach will be less time consuming, eliminate the requirement for sophisticated equipment, and allow the production of permanent slides for record keeping. A technique for separating phytoplankton cells from zooplankton and detrital particles will be developed to make these measurements possible. In addition, these techniques will be applied to study the causes of phytoplankton succession in Long Island Sound and to test the hypothesis that the change from a diatom dominated community to a dinoflagellate dominated one is caused by the alteration of intrinsic growth rates in corresponding populations.