Read the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and all instructions prior to the usage of glutaraldehyde.

1. Pour homogenized sample into a 250 mL amber poly bottle (or similar bottle), leave 3-5 cm headspace from the top of the bottle mouth.
2. Keep the sample in a cooler, protected from sunlight and heat, until the sample can be preserved. Samples can be held in a dark, cool container for several hours (until end of sampling cruise), and preserved on shore or back in the laboratory.
3. Eye protection and gloves are required for the usage of glutaraldehyde. Glutaraldehyde is a toxic chemical and must be treated as such.
4. Use glutaraldehyde only in a well ventilated area or under a chemical fume hood.
5. Add 1.0mL of 25% aqueous general grade glutaraldehyde for each 100mL of algal sample which is to be preserved. The final concentration of glutaraldehyde in the sample should be 0.25-0.50%.
6. Securely tighten the lid onto the sample bottle.
7. Shake the sample bottle vigorously 5 times.
8. Uncap the sample and smell the lid. A slight odor should be evident and there should be a thin layer of white foam or bubbles on the surface of the sample. If the glutaraldehyde can not be detected on the sample bottle lid, slightly sniff the sample bottle. DO NOT SNIFF DIRECTLY OVER THE SAMPLE BOTTLE.
   • If the glutaraldehyde is evident in the sample, tightly close the lid onto the sample bottle. The sample is now preserved.
   • If the glutaraldehyde can not be detected in the sample, additional glutaraldehyde might be necessary. Normally, additional preservative is needed only for extremely dense bloom or tow samples or dense periphyton samples where you are dealing with an algal slurry. Add the additional glutaraldehyde (in maximum increments of .25mL of glutaraldehyde per 100 mL of sample) to sample bottle. Repeat steps 5-7 until sample preservation is achieved.
9. Store the sample in a cool, dark place (cover with aluminum foil) until it can be processed.

***Keep the glutaraldehyde bottle tightly closed and stored in a well ventilated area when not in use!

PhycoTech will not accept any responsibility for injuries or damage incurred due to the use, misuse, or storage of glutaraldehyde.

We continually strive to provide our customers with the most accurate data possible. As a result, we are providing our customers with pre-printed, water-resistant labels. Effective immediately, all samples sent to PhycoTech for analysis need to be labeled with these pre-printed labels. In addition, the log form template needs to be completed for each system being analyzed.

The pre-printed labels contain the required fields, which are necessary for us to process your samples as accurately and efficiently as possible. At minimum, we require the following information be provided: System Name, Date of Sampling, Site, Station, Preservation, and Date (if there is no date, we will use the date of receipt). If either site or station is not applicable, please write NONE

These new measures will improve our service and prevent us from having to contact customers for additional information once we've received the samples.

Please contact us if you need any labels or have any additional questions.

Due to the steady increase in shipping and handling expenses, PhycoTech, Inc. requires that you send a pre-paid shipping label with each cooler sent to us you want returned to you. If no label has been provided, the cooler will remain at PhycoTech. If you do not want your cooler/s to be returned to you, please write "disposable cooler" on the exterior surface of the cooler or enclose a memo with each cooler stating that the cooler is disposable.

Shipment Information for Samples:

1. Samples should still be shipped to us via overnight service.
2. All coolers that you wish to have returned to you MUST contain a pre-paid shipping label!
3. PhycoTech cannot accept any weekend deliveries.

Alternate methods of packaging samples (either method will be more economical than shipping an actual cooler):

 

Securely tape each container lid closed. Place each sample container into a sealed bag for either shipping method. Dark plastic sample containers are highly recommended. All containers should be firmly packed with Styrofoam, paper, or vermiculite (to avoid breakage), and shipped with freezer packs or ice (sealed in airtight bags).

 

• Place bagged samples into a disposable Styrofoam cooler and put the cooler into a corrugated box.

OR

• Place bagged samples into a corrugated box lined with Styrofoam sheeting.

Both methods will be more economical for you to ship your samples and there will not be any additional shipping and handling charges.

PhycoTech, Inc. will also be assessing a $50.00 lab fee (handling, logging samples in, disposal of samples, etc.) for any samples which are sent to us that have not been properly preserved. However, if we know prior to receiving a sample that it may be questionable, the fee may be waived. This is a general notification that we are sending to all of our customers to advise them of any future charges that they may incur. This fee does not apply to live samples.

 

We are continually striving to provide the highest quality service to our customers at a minimal cost. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

 

As always, we appreciate your business!