Influence of Method on the Apparent Size Distribution of Bacterioplankton Cells: Epifluorescence Microscopy Compared to Scanning Electron Microscopy

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Abstract
Size distributions of unattached marine bacterioplankton determined by epifluorescence microscopy were compared with those determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Significant (up to 37%) and variable linear shrinkage occurred during preparation for SEM. Although far from perfect, epifluorescence microscopy of wet preserved cells is probably more accurate than SEM for determination of size and biovolume. Comparison of the distribution of bacterial size with literature data for the distribution of bacterial activity suggested that the small to medium sized bacteria (< 0.6 .mu.m diameter) are much more active, on a per unit volume basis, than larger bacteria.