Data supporting Inhibition of the Growth of Harmful Algal Bloom-forming Freshwater Cyanobacteria by Clay

Abstract

This dataset contains cell density measurements and confocal images of Microcystis Aeruginosa. The raw data from hand counting cells under a microscope with a hemocytometer is included, as well as the calculated cell density based on the hemocytometer measurements. The bacteria cells were grown in one of three growth conditions. Each growth condition was simulated in three different flasks. For each date, the cell densities of identical growth conditions were averaged. Cell densities for each date and growth condition were subsequently plotted with error bars to determine any trends. Additionally, data on the environmental conditions of cell growth are included on dates when the measurements were taken.

The physical interactions between cyanobacteria and clay particles were visualized using a confocal laser scanning microscope (Nikon C2 plus). Each image is around 2048 by 2048 pixels at a resolution of 0.08 um/pixel. We used a 20X objective magnification. A sequence of images was taken at 10-second intervals for 5 minutes. The laser used for excitation has a wavelength of 488 nm (FITC) and the emission wavelength is 525 nm.