ABSTRACT
This chapter includes discussions on various methods for biological determination in water. It includes information on the Plankton and periphyton pigments chlorophyll spectrophotometric method, the plankton and periphyton pigments chlorophyll fluorometric method, and total coliform membrane filter method, among others. Three chlorophyll pigments are commonly found in algae: chlorophylls a, b, and c. This method should be used only when chlorophyll concentrations in the extract are high (mg/L range). For a more sensitive technique, to the fluorometric method should be referred. Chlorophyll a may be overestimated if pheophytin a, which fluoresces near the same wavelength, is present. The fluorometric method is more sensitive than the spectrophotometric technique for the detection of chlorophyll. Bacteriological samples cannot be preserved; they need to be analyzed preferably within 6 hours of collection. Sample need to be collected in a sterile bottle such that water does not flow across the hand and into the bottle.
