Standard Practice for
Preserving Phytoplankton Samples1

This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4137; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope

1.1 This practice describes the proper procedure for preserving phytoplankton samples with either formaldehyde or
Lugol’s solution

1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Document

2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water

3. Summary of Practice

3.1 A phytoplankton sample collected with either a qualitative or quantitative sampler is preserved with either formaldehyde solution or Lugol’s solution.

4. Significance and Use

4.1 Formaldehyde solution can be used as a permanent
preservative of algae. Lugol’s solution can be used to preserve
algae for up to one year. Lugol’s is a more suitable preservative
for delicate algae such as naked flagellates.

5. Reagents

5.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on
Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society where
such specifications are available.3 Other grades may be used,

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