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Eleocharis wetland areas were located within the region of interest and before sampling was conducted, water chemistry measurements, including pH, conductivity, salinity and temperature, were taken. At each Eleocharis wetland site, seven 1m2 areas were sampled using 1m2 throw traps. At each plot, a photograph was taken to record the surface view of the quadrat and the cover of periphyton on dominant substrates estimated. Periphyton was then cleared from plot, placed onto a seine net and sorted to remove animals, plants and marl. Periphyton only samples were then measured using perforated 2000 ml graduated cylinder which excluded water, and the periphyton biovolume was recorded. Submersed plants were then measured in the graduated cylinder to produce a total biovolume (Periphyton plus submersed plant) biovolume. A subsample of 120 ml (volume of urine cup) of periphyton only material was removed and placed in a sterile sample bag and placed in a cooler with ice for transport to the lab. When no observable periphyton mat was present, flocculent detritus was sampled non-quantitatively from the benthos and/or epiphytic fils were scraped from any macrophytes present. In the laboratory, each periphyton sample (in its sample bag) was weighed and a wet weight plus bag value recorded. The sample was then transferred to clean beaker, homogenized in a few ml distilled water (enough to fully moisten). The total volume of the homogenized sample was then measured in a graduated cylinder and this volume recorded as the Total Volume. The dried sample bag was then weighed and a bag weight recorded. From the homogenized Total volume, a 50 ml subsample was poured into a pre-weighed aluminum pan, dried in an oven for 24 hours and later removed and weighed to produce a Periphyton dry mass (DW). This sample was then placed in a muffle furnace for 3 hours and again weighed to produce an ash weight (AW). A 50 ml subsample was removed, placed in a labeled 120 ml cup and placed in an oven until dry. The dried contents were then ground and analyzed for nutrients (total phosphorus, total nitrogen, total carbon). A 1 ml subsample was removed and placed in a microvial for soft algae analysis. A 10 ml subsample was removed, put in vial and frozen until oxidized and analyzed for diatom analysis. A 1 ml subsample was removed and filtered through a GFF filter which was then analyzed for chlorophyll a.

References:

Hasle, G R , G A Fryxell. 25842. Diatoms: Cleaning and mounting for light and electron microscopy. Transactions of the American Microscopical Society, 89(4): 469-474.

Solaranzo, L , J H Sharp. 29280. Determination of total dissolved phosphorus and particulate phosphorus in natural waters.. Limnology and Oceanography, 25: 754-758.

Welschmeyer, N A 34501. Fluorometric analysis of chlorophyll a in the presence of chlorophyll b and pheopigments. Limnology and Oceanography, 39(8): 1985-1992.