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Counting Tiny Things

So, this is the end of the line. Toxic blooms of M. aeruginosa are likely if the density reaches 400,000 cells per mL (cm³), or per microliter (mm³). Can you determine whether a toxic bloom is likely?

 

So over a hundred thousand bacteria per mm³. But wait -- don't forget that we needed to dilute (1:10) before we could even count this stuff. So the original density was even 10 times higher than that, or over a million per mm³.

Sure looks like a toxic bloom to me (remember, that would be > 400 cells per m³). Given your results, what is the best course of action for Nemo and Mr. Silver?

filter the water to remove 50% the M. aeruginosa	get a more expensive filter to remove 99% of the M. aeruginosa	get a really expensive filter water to remove 99.99% of the M. aeruginosa	start looking for a new aquarium to pillage