Marine Plankton Identification

Ocean Ecology's plankton lab.

Ocean Ecology performs marine plankton identification and enumeration (both phytoplankton and zooplankton) in its laboratory. Samples are collected using either a water bottle or a plankton net. After preservation, the samples are examinined using a microscope. Depending on the particular study being performed, analysis can range from simply identifying and enumerating harmful algal species to a full analysis of all species present.

Image from HAB Related Photograph Sets v.1.0
- see link below.
Click image to enlarge.

Plankton may be studied for a variety of purposes:

• as a part of basic ecological research and food web analysis
• as an indicator of global climate change
• to assist in the siting of mariculture operations
• to aid in the timing of remote setting, grow-out, and harvesting procedures in mariculture
• to provide an early detection method for harmful algal blooms and related incidences of shellfish poisoning
• to monitor for alien invasive species (planktonic larvae or adults)

Image from Ocean News - see link below.

An example of a local nontoxic red tide (Noctiluca scintillans) is shown below.

Noctiluca scintillans red tide.