Abstract
New, optical, approaches to automatize and to accelerate the analysis of algae
are discussed. Firstly, the application of flow cytometric analysis will be
presented. This technique is based on classification of particles in flow by
measuring several optical properties per individual particle. Characteristics of the
Optical Plankton Analyser, a flow cytometer constructed specifically for the
analysis of phytoplankton, will be presented. Two experiments that demonstrate the
suitability of this instrument for the analysis of coastal phytoplankton will be
presented. Subsequently, the applicability of flow cytometry and other optical
approaches to the measurement of phytoplankton, in particular for monitoring
purposes, will be discussed. Microscopy, as well as in-situ measurement and optical
remote sensing are approaches that each offer specific advantages for the
determination of phytoplankton. An optimal and integrated picture of the development
of the distribution of phytoplankton species in space and time can be obtained by
the combined application of these techniques.
