Methods of neuston sampling for the quantitative characteristic of microbial communities of Lake Baikal

The efficiency of neuston sampling from freshwater Lake Baikal with Garrett’s metal screen and polycarbonate membrane filters has been estimated. It is revealed that both sampling methods demonstrate similar results. Method selection is determined by climatic and hydrological factors. The results of the present work demonstrate that sampling using a metal screen can be recommended for the complex characterization of neuston biofilm and estimation not only microbiological, but also molecular and chemical parameters, because it allows collecting the water volume required for all analyses.