Protocols for Automated Protist Analysis
Abstract
Ballast water management systems must be tested relative to the U.S. Coast Guard's proposed ballast water discharge standard before they can be approved for routine shipboard use. Analysis for live organisms in treated samples is time-limited and labor intensive. Currently, skilled staff must use a microscope to observe, count, and verify the viability of live organisms > or = 10 microns and < 50 microns in minimum dimension. This program built upon previous work performed by the Naval Research Laboratory to develop data management, data archive, and data analysis protocols for counting and determining the viability of organisms in this size range. An automated method was sought to significantly reduce staff time and effort, maintain consistency (by reducing human error and bias), and provide an archive of analytical results. Commercially available laboratory equipment and computer software were used in conjunction with specially developed pattern recognition software. This report provides a description of the equipment required and the protocols developed. This report's findings are the result of continued research into the potential to automate protist analyses and provide the most current information available at the conclusion of this initial research effort. Additional automation research efforts are ongoing and may affect details reported herein.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA593114
Entities
People
- Bruce Nelson
- Lisa Drake
- Matthew First
- Mia Steinberg
- Penny Herring
- Scott Riley
- Stephanie Robbins-wamsley
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory