X-ray Imaging of Mucilaginous Sheath of Phytoplankton in Lake Biwa by Soft X-ray Microscope

In Lake Biwa, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) index is increasing in spite of a decrease in the values of the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) index. Picophytoplankton with a mucilaginous sheath is considered an important source of non-biodegradable organic compounds. In order to elucidate the mechanism, x-ray images of planktons inhabiting Lake Biwa were taken. The laboratory-cultured phytoplanktons with sheaths-Synechoccoucs, Microcystis wesenbergii, and Phormidium tenue-were observed by the soft x-ray microscope (BL12) of the Ritsumeikan University SR Center. Synechoccoucs cells were successfully observed with high contrast, and the mucilaginous sheath around the cell was also observed. However, although P. tenu cells were successfully observed with high contrast, it was impossible to confirm the mucilaginous sheath around the cell.