Open AccessScattering of individual particles from cytometry: tests on phytoplankton cultures
Author(s) -
William Moutier,
Lucile Duforêt-Gaurier,
Mélilotus Thyssen,
Hubert Loisel,
Xavier Mériaux,
Lucie Courcot,
David Dessailly,
Séverine Alvain
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.24.024188
Subject(s) - thalassiosira pseudonana , radiative transfer , optics , scattering , range (aeronautics) , spheres , in situ , physics , biological system , phytoplankton , materials science , biology , astronomy , ecology , nutrient , meteorology , composite material
This study presents an application of the Cytosense flow cytometer (CytoBuoy b.v., NL) for the analysis of the optical properties of phytoplankton cells. For the first time, the forward, sideward and backward cross sections (σFSC, σSSC and σ b b ) were derived for two species morphologically different (Chlamydomonas concordia and Thalassiosira pseudonana). The objective of this work is to check the validity of the estimates before any applications in the frame of marine optics studies. Thus, estimates of σFSC and σSSC are tested with radiative transfer computations as no in situ measurements are available. A synthetic database is built considering homogeneous, multi-layered spheres, aggregates and cylinders. Scanning electron micrographs were performed to investigate the cell morphology to simulate particles as close as possible to the real cells. This set of numerical results represents a valuable database for many kinds of applications dealing with marine optics. Comparisons showed that the Cytosense estimates for the cultures are consistent with values predicted by the theory. In average, more than 92% of the Cytosense estimates were encompassed by predicted values. The backscattering cross section and the backscattering efficiency were compared with in situ measurements found in the literature wherever possible. Results showed that σ b b and Q b b estimations fall within the range of the referenced values.