Comparing microscopic counts and pigment analyses in phytoplankton communities from reservoirs of different trophic state

Abstract

Reliable and accurate alternative methods for quantifying phytoplankton, especially cyanobacteria, are increasingly demanded by those responsible for the management of multiple-use water sources. Therefore, this activities plan, which is linked to the project: "Application of an alternative methodology for quantifying cyanobacteria in multiple-use water sources in São Paulo State", aims to compare the similarity of the biodiversity of the phytoplanktonic groups that will be estimated through pigment analysis (HPLC) and microscopy. Different reservoirs will be chosen to test the reliability of the chemotaxonomy under a wide range of compositions of the phytoplankton community. We assume that different groups of algae will dominate under different conditions and that both methods will yield similar results. The scholarship application will cover a period of 36 months comprising the period from August 2021 to July 2024. (AU)