2021-06-01-Macroalgal-CHN-Protocol.md

layout	title	date	categories	tags	projects
post	Macroalgal Collection and Processing	2020-06-01	Protocols	macroalgal samples, CHN, nutrients	E5, Putnam Lab

Standard protocol for macroalgal CHN content

Original: Silbiger Lab - Danielle M. Becker 20190425 Last Revised: Putnam Lab - Danielle M. Becker 20210601

Contents

• Materials
• Protocol
• References

1. Materials

   • Scoopula
   • Mortar
   • Pestle
   • Alumninum foil
   • Microcentrifuge tubes
   • 70% ethanol
   • KimWipes
   • Parafilm

2. Protocol

• For field collection and sample processing in Mo'orea steps, see the Field Sampling Protocol and Sample Same Day Processing Protocol for all steps before final processing

1. Sterilize the mortar and pestle with 70% ethanol before use.

2. Label all microcentrifuge tubes (ex: Timepoint-Collection Date-Site#-Tube#). We have decided to process 10 samples per site per time point (120 total samples.

3. Crush samples into a very fine powder using a mortar and pestal.

   

4. Sterilize the mortar and pestal in between each sample with 70% ethanol and KimWipes.

5. Carefully scoop all of the fine powdered material into a 1.5 mL centrifuge tube using the scoopula.

6. Sterilize the scoopula with 70% ethanol and let all materials dry or use a KimWipe between each sample.

7. Wrap the top of the microcentrifuge tubes with parafilm and place into a test tube rack.

8. Wrap the entire test tube rack with alumninum foil.

9. Submit dried samples to the University of Georgia Center for Applied Isotope Studies Stable Isotope Ecology Laboratory for CHN analysis using standard techniques for an organic elemental analyzer.

10. References

    1. Carpenter, R of Moorea Coral Reef LTER. 2018. MCR LTER: Coral Reef: Macroalgal CHN, ongoing since 2005. knb-lter-mcr.20.17 doi:10.6073/pasta/59244d3280854f513fbb07a749c9b6d1