We usually use Formaldehyde to fix phyto and protozooplankton samples to be analyzed through FlowCam. However, this time we will conduct a plastivory experiment in Antarctica, and the samples to be analyzed in FlowCam will contain phytoplankton and also microplastics. Microplastics will be later aswell observed by Raman microscopy, and one requeriment to observations through Raman is not to use formaldehyde. I think that may be ethanol can shrink phytoplankton cells? the objetive is to count the cells.
What is the possibility of separating the plastic particles from the plankton at the point of collection and then using two different preservation media? It might be worth investigating by looking to see how plastic particles are concentrated now from water samples. Low velocity flow through centrification?