Interference of chlorophyll a in liquid scintillation counting of phytoplankton productivity samples by the 14C technique

The 14C tracer technique for phytoplankton productivity measurements is one of the most precise techniques used widely by phytoplankton ecologists. Most researchers overlook the possible interference of high concentrations of chlorophyll a during liquid scintillation counting, particularly in eutrophic ecosystems. Results from this study revealed that an optimal H2O2 volume of 150 ll, when added prior to scintillation counting, was sufficient to overcome an underestimation in phytoplankton productivity of up to 4.3%.