meth_1.13 Seaweed Ecklonia radiata Sampling for Marine Microbes Coastal Project

Contributor(s):

Citation:

AM Project ID: Legacy

General Notes:

  1. First time the site is visited, abundance of E. radiata will be measured over 10 randomly thrown 50 x 50 cm quadrats. This will be repeated as required during the 14 months observation period.
  2. Select randomly from a kelp bed only those seaweed individuals that appear healthy and document specimen with a photo.
  3. Three different healthy specimens are analysed at each sampling event.
  4. Record the following parameter for each specimen: length (approximate in cm); any contact with other benthic, sessile organisms (yes, no; if yes, specify); morphological condition (discolouration; outgrowth, spots etc.); epiphytic growth (type and coverage via categories <10, 10-25, 25-50, 50-75, >75%), photosynthetic efficiency in situ (quantum yield using a Diving-PAM fluorometer; if available (see Additional Information below), evidence of grazing (presence/ absence and estimated % of thallus affected via categories <10, 10-25, 25-50, 50-75, >75%)

Method:

  1. Collect for each of the three replicate specimens the middle section of a secondary lamina located at approximately the same distance from the meristem (see Additional Information below). Make sure the collected tissue has an area >=30 cm2 (enough for swabbing and PAMing; see below).
  2. Enclose samples individually inside press-seal bags in situ and bring to the surface. Label the bag according to the instruction given in the spreadsheet “sampling_schedule”.
  3. On the surface, rinse the algal samples with filtered-sterilised seawater. Use a 50 mL syringe with a 0.22 µm filter to run sterilised seawater for about 10-20 second over thallus to remove parts (e.g., detritus) that are not biofilm.
  4. Use a sterile cotton tip (head size about 1 cm) and swab an area of approximately 20 cm2 of the lamina gently (i.e., without breaking the algal tissue) for 30 seconds
  5. Transfer the tips of the swabs into individual sterile cryo-tubes, label the tubes according to the instruction given in the spreadsheet “sampling_schedule” and immediately store in a dry-shipper with liquid nitrogen onsite (transfer to -80 °C for long-term storage).