科研之友
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摘要
Biomass estimation is central in most microbial plankton ecology studies. Numerous advances have been made that rendered this task more and more effective, from the introduction of allometric volume-to-carbon conversion factors to the development of submersible flow-through imaging devices. Although several ingenious methods have been suggested for this purpose, the problem of biovolume extrapolation from two-dimensional pictures remains. This study offers a historical and critical review of the methods for the estimation of the biovolume of microorganisms that have been proposed throughout the last four decades. It covers three main approaches-respectively based on a single equation, a set of simple or composite geometric shapes or a computational algorithm-as well as several methods featuring exclusive characteristics. Both strengths and shortcomings of each technique are analyzed, with particular emphasis on compatibility with the most recent flow-through devices coupled with in situ imaging systems. A composite picture emerges with no such unique method, at present, suitable for every situation. This review can thus be a valuable guide for the microbial plankton ecologist who seeks the most suitable technique for a specific circumstance.
- 出版日期2017-4
