EN 15204:2006

Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Principle
5 Equipment and preservatives
6 Sample processing
7 Counting procedure
8 Quantitative validation
9 Measurement uncertainty
Annex A (informative) Optical characteristics of inverted
                      microscopes
Annex B (informative) Sample treatment
Annex C (informative) Phytoplankton analysis strategies
Annex D (informative) Identification
Annex E (informative) Use of conventional compound
                      microscopes
Annex F (informative) Statistical procedure
Bibliography

The procedure described in this European Standard is based on the standard settling technique as defined by Utermöhl in 1958 [31]. It describes a general procedure for the estimation of abundance and taxonomic composition of marine and freshwater phytoplankton by using inverted light microscopy and sedimentation chambers, including the preceding steps of preservation and storage. Emphasis is placed on optimizing the procedure for the preparation of the microscopic sample. Many of the general principles of the approach described may also be applied to other techniques of enumerating algae (or other entities) using a (conventional) microscope, some of which are described in Annex E. This guidance standard does not cover field collection of samples or the analysis of picoplankton, quantitative analysis of free-floating mats of Cyanobacteria or specific preparation techniques for diatoms.