Original Articles

THE DETERMINATION OF CHLOROPHYLL a IN WATER CONTAINING SEDIMENT

Published in: Journal of the Limnological Society of Southern Africa
Volume 4 , issue 2 , 1978 , pages: 125–128

DOI: 10.1080/03779688.1978.9633163

Author(s): D.C. Grobler Department of Water Affairs, South Africa , Elizabeth Davies Department of Water Affairs, South Africa

Keywords: Chlorophyll determination , sediments , impoundments , phytoplankton biomass , turbid waters

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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.

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