A wavelength-division-multiplexed passive optical network using an economical multi-wavelength lasing source and a reflective optical amplification device is disclosed. The reactant gas manifolds are configured and positioned to maximize sealing contact with smooth surfaces of the stack and the manifolds. The method is characterized by comprising: setting at leat one error threshold; comparing the number of counted errors with the set threshold; and performing the correction only in case the number of counted errors is lower than the threshold. The amplitude of this field at the resonant condition is greater by an order of approximately 100 than the field of prior art platforms so that the luminescence intensity created from samples on the platform is also increased by a factor of 100. To accommodate special skip patterns and shut off unused boom sections, individual section control switches mounted away from the handle to avoid handle clutter permit selective disabling any one or more of the spray sections. The method of the present invention also include the colonization of substrate with microbial cultures for conferring increased microbial nitrogen content to such substrate.