Preparation of filtered plankton and detritus for study with scanning electron microscopy1

A simple, rapid method of fixing plankton and detritus for the scanning electron microscope is described, which can be used in the laboratory or in the field. The sample is fixed with 2% glutaraldehyde followed by stepwise dehydration in increasing concentrations of ethyl alcohol. Fixed samples can be stored for up to 2 weeks. Critical point drying of the fixed samples is done in the laboratory. Nuclepore filters proved superior to other filters for most sample preparations.