Long-Term Preservation of Microalgal Cells and their Optical Properties

Abstract

A unique protocol using a gelatin-based embedding technique allows long-term preservation of sea ice microalgae and phytoplankton cells. The high quality preservation of the cells and their optical properties for over two decades was confirmed after a re-examination of samples collected and prepared during 1987 at McMurdo Station, Antarctica and during 1990 at the California Bight near Los Angeles. Samples stored frozen until 2011 demonstrated the long-term preservation of the cellular structure, as well as their spectral absorption and fluorescence properties. This protocol makes it possible to assemble archives of sea ice microalgae and phytoplankton cells for environmental studies.