Negative staining of freshwater bacterioneuston sampled directly with electron microscope specimen support grids

Abstract
A technique for observation of surface microlayer bacteria (bacterioneuston) is described, utilizing direct sampling of the air-water interface with carbon-stabilized electron microscope specimen support grids, followed by negative staining and transmission electron microscopy. The method resulted in excellent preservation of forms of microcolonial association, regular surface arrays, surface appendages, and prosthecae in the bacterioneuston of a freshwater pond.