Soft X-ray Imaging of Pico- and Nano-Phytoplankton

Abstract

We observed both Leptolyngbya tenuis （Phormidium tenue） and Synechococcus sp. by soft x-ray microscope. In Leptolyngbya tenuis, several small granules which are difficult to confirm by a light and electron microscopes have been visualized. In Synechococcus sp., mucilaginous substance around the cell has been observed with high contrast. Using the x-ray substance image, quantity of organic matter has been successfully estimated. The performance of x-ray microscopy shows not only an appropriate bio-imaging system for nano- and picophytoplankton but also a new method for estimating of quantity of organic matter for picophytoplankton.