Advanced Course

Title:  Diatoms: Collection, Oxidation, Counting, and Preparation of Permanent Slides with Naphrax®

In-person or in-company mode

Hours: 8h

Theoretical and practical class

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Online Modality 

Hours: 4h

Theoretical class

Exclusive live classes​

Teaching plan

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- Importance of diatoms in ecological, environmental, and water quality studies
- Diatom collection techniques across different substrates and environments
- Sample preservation, storage, and transportation methods
- Sample processing, homogenization, and concentration
- Removal of organic matter and oxidation of diatom frustules
- Precautions during oxidation and main sources of frustule loss or damage
- Washing, recovery, and preparation of diatom suspensions
- Preparation and mounting of permanent slides using Naphrax®
- Criteria for obtaining slides with adequate distribution and microscopic quality
- Equipment, materials, and safety procedures during sample processing
- Techniques for microscopic observation and analysis of diatom frustules
- Diatom counting techniques
- Number of individuals/valves to be counted
- Recording and organization of counting data
- Main sources of error and quality control strategies

Target audience: Students, researchers, technicians, and professionals working with diatoms, phytoplankton, periphyton, and environmental analyses who wish to enhance their knowledge of diatom collection, processing, oxidation, permanent slide preparation using Naphrax®, identification, and counting. The course is also suitable for laboratories and institutions seeking to train their teams in microscopic and taxonomic analysis techniques.