Book excerpt: Algal Culturing Techniques is a comprehensive reference on all aspects of the isolation and cultivation of marine and freshwater algae, including seaweeds. It is divided into seven parts that cover history, media preparation, isolation and purification techniques, mass culturing techniques, cell counting and growth measurement techniques, and reviews on topics and applications of algal culture techniques for environmental investigations. Algal Culturing Techniques was developed to serve as both a new textbook and key reference for phycologists and others studying aquatic systems, aquaculture and environmental sciences. Students of algal ecology, marine botany, marine phycology, and microbial ecology will enjoy the hands-on methodology for culturing a variety of algae from fresh and marine waters. Researchers in industry, such as aquaculture, pharmaceutical, foodstuffs, and biotechnology companies will find an authoritative and comprehensive reference. - Sponsored by the Phycological Society of America - Features color photographs and illustrations throughout - Describes culturing methods ranging from the test tube to outdoor ponds and coastal seaweed farms - Details isolation techniques ranging from traditional micropipette to automated flow cytometeric methods - Includes purification, growth, maintenance, and cryopreservation techniques - Highlights methods for estimating algal populations, growth rates, isolating and measuring algal pigments, and detecting and culturing algal viruses - Features a comprehensive appendix of nearly 50 algal culture medium recipes - Includes a glossary of phycological terms