I am interested in the bacterial diversity of open ocean ecosystems. I was thinking of using the autofluorescence of accessory pigments and chl a/b coupled with flow cytometry to answer this question, but I have had poor resolution in terms of separate populations on the output from the cytometer (BD Accuri C6). The samples are preserved in 1% glutaraldehyde and stored in a refrigerator at 4oC. The company claims that the >670nm LP  and 675/25nm emission detectors can be used to differentiate between chl a and phycocyanins respectively, but I don't see how considering the overlap in emission wavelengths. Specifically, I would love to separate cyanobacteria, chlorophytes and pico/nano eukaryotes if possible.

Some papers I have read have had luck with staining to differentiate populations, but I was just wondering if that is the way to go or if it is possible to differentiate without these stains. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

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