Plankton Towing

On November 6th, 2012, the ocean circulation class went with the marine biology class on a plankton towing field trip. Our goals were to collect zooplankton, phytoplankton, and data using the ctc. We observed the pelagic ecosystem.

The ctc data showed us the temperature, salinity, and phosphorescence (chlorophyll). The collect data using the ctc, the ctc was deployed down to 150m in two different locations (North and South of San Juan Channel).

We collected the zooplankton and phytoplankton at three different depths in two different sites. We used plankton net with a bigger mesh size at the deep and medium depth. That mainly collected the zooplankton and phytoplankton. We then used the small mesh sized net and dragged it around the bow of the boat and collected only phytoplankton.

At the surface of the water contained mostly phytoplankton due to the net size and the speed at which the towing was at.

It was a great experience and field trip.

Posted on November 8, 2012 01:41 AM by huangt3