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IMPROVED FLOTATION TECHNIQUE FOR MICROSCOPY OF 'IN SITU' SOIL AND SEDIMENT MICROORGANISMS
Citation:
Bone, T. AND D. Balkwill. IMPROVED FLOTATION TECHNIQUE FOR MICROSCOPY OF 'IN SITU' SOIL AND SEDIMENT MICROORGANISMS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-86/031.
Description:
An improved flotation method for microscopical examination of in situ soil and sediment microorganisms was developed. Microbial cells were released into gel-like flotation films that were stripped from soil and sediment aggregates as these aggregates were submerged in 0.5% solutions of poly-vinylpryrrolidone (PVP). The use of PVP solutions instead of water facilitated the release of films from saturated samples like aquifer sediments, as well as from typical surface soils. In situ microbial morphological characteristics could then be surveyed rapidly by light microscopical examination of films stained with acridine orange. The method effectively determined the range of morphological diversity in a variety of sample types. (Copyright (c) 1986, American Society for Microbiology.)