AQUIL: A CHEMICALLY DEFINED PHYTOPLANKTON CULTURE MEDIUM FOR TRACE METAL STUDIES¹²

Abstract

ABSTRACT The medium Aquil and its variations have been successfully used for trace metal studies of marine phytoplankton (diatoms and dinoflagellates) over the past three years. Here, the recipes, the methods of preparation and the chemical composition of Aquil are presented in detail. To permit complete definition of chemical speciation of the various components as calculated from thermodynamic equilibria, trace element contamination is controlled and the formation of precipitates and adsorbates is avoided. It is established that Aquil is suitable for physiological experiments with a variety of marine phytoplankters representing all major phyla. Modifications of the basic recipe and design of chemically defined media in general are discussed.