Original Articles

THE DETERMINATION OF CHLOROPHYLL a IN WATER CONTAINING SEDIMENT

DOI: 10.1080/03779688.1978.9633163
Author(s): D.C. GroblerDepartment of Water Affairs, South Africa, Elizabeth DaviesDepartment of Water Affairs, South Africa,

Abstract

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.

Get new issue alerts for Journal of the Limnological Society of Southern Africa