Evaluation of a pumping system for sampling zooplankton

This study describes the sampling efficiency of a plankton pumpdesigned to operate from a moving research vessel. The samplingefficiency of the pump was evaluated by comparing the catchper unit volume of several planktonic taxa sampled simultaneouslywith the pump and with a modified Gulf V plankton sampler ora tube sampler. The estimates of plankton density obtained withthe pump sampler corresponded well with those obtained withthe modified plankton net and tube sampler. We conclude thatthe use of a plankton pump in zooplankton sampling gives resultscomparable to those found with traditional sampling, exceptthat the results were biased for the sampling of rotifers andcopepod eggs.     

A portable, low-cost, multipurpose, surface-subsurface plankton sampler

This note describes a portable, low-cost, pump-based, multi-purpose,surface–subsurface, phytoplankton and zooplankton sampler.It is self-powered by a small 12 V DC battery, and is portableand ideal for use from a small boat in a river, estuary, orsea. The sampler is equipped with a very sensitive microprocessor-controlledflow sensor for precise determination of the volume of waterprocessed by the sampler. A study was carried out to evaluatethe performance of this sampler in comparison to the conventionaltowed plankton net. The results of this study suggest that thispump-based sampler is as efficient in collecting plankton asusing conventional plankton nets, with little damage to theorganisms.     

A Quantitative Comparison of Two Zooplankton Sampling Methods,a Plankton Trap and a Towed Net,in the Baltic

A comparison between a large plankton trap with a capacity of 23 litres and a modern towed net was made in the course of zooplankton production studies in the Baltic. On the average, the net efficiency was 75% of that of the trap. Both methods were equally efficient in catching naupliar stages of copepods. The net efficiency was especially low during the zooplankton maximum for adult copepods and cladocerans (41 and 51%, respectively), probably due to the active avoidance of the net by fast swimming species. The net was only about 66% as efficient as the trap for catching rotifers. This difference is probably caused by the loss of small and softbodied forms through the mesh. Only about 65% of the total zooplankton biomass retained in the trap was collected by the net. Net sampling is not recommended for quantitative zooplankton studies.     

Field comparison of an LHPR net sampling system and an Optical Plankton Counter (OPC) in the Southern Ocean

A field comparison of an optical plankton counter (OPC) anda Longhurst-Hardy Plankton Recorder (LHPR) was undertaken aroundthe sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia during austral spring,1997, to investigate the capacity of the OPC to accurately describefine-scale plankton distributions. Initially, formalin-preserveddevelopmental stages of representative zooplankton were passedthrough a benchtop OPC and a relationship established betweenmaximum cross sectional area (CSA) of the plankton and the digitaloutput value (DOV) of the OPC. The LHPR with an OPC attachedto the net frame was then deployed at two stations representingcontrasting plankton abundances. Outputs from two oblique haulstaken at a shelf station, and one at an oceanic station, werecompared. Following corrections for volume swept by both instruments,and standardization of OPC particle and net plankton countson the basis of sampler mouth area, the OPC was found to ‘overestimate'relative to the net by up to several orders of magnitude. However,following the correction for rate of flow though the OPC, andthe application of a size threshold to the OPC data excludingthe proportion of particles <0.25 mm² CSA, based on the expectedretention of plankton by the net there was a greatly improvedand significant correlation. Overall there was no consistentover- or undersample by the OPC relative to the net, with meanOPC:net ratios being 1–1.8 for net plankton densitiesof up to 6000 ind. m^–3. There was also a generally goodagreement between the abundances of the rarer large biomassdominant calanoid copepods estimated by both samplers. An OPCoverestimate of 2–3x relative to the net was seen on theascent portion of the haul at the oceanic station, attributableto the presence of high abundances (estimated density     

青藏高原柴达木盆地尕海盐湖浮游生物群落多样性特征的初步研究

青海尕海是青藏高原柴达木盆地比较典型的高盐度且具有丰富卤虫资源的盐湖 ,海拔高程 2 849.6m。 1997年夏季我们对尕海盐湖浮游生物主要类群群落多样性特征进行了初步调查。调查期间在内湖主要水体 5个断面2 2个采样站共发现浮游藻类 46种 ,平均密度为 5 4.39× 10 4 Cells/L ;浮游动物 12种 ,全湖平均密度为 8.2 2个 /L ,平均生物量 0 .2 9mg/L。通过盐度含量较高 (119g/L)的内湖主要水体采样断面与盐度含量较低 (1.8g/L)的湖西北岸小水面采样断面比较 ,浮游生物不论是在种类组成特征、群落的多样性还是其个体丰度都存在十分明显的差异。结果表明 :在盐湖生态系统中 ,盐度是决定生物物种多样性及其个体丰度的关键因素之一。     

The use of simultaneous sampling bottle and vertical net collections to describe the dynamics of a zooplankton population

Simultaneous collections of zooplankton were made at four stations in the Plover Clove Reservoir using Friedinger sampling bottles and vertical Nakai plankton net hauls. Comparison of the results obtained revealed certain obvious numerical and spatial anomalies, and it is suggested that these result from inherent characteristics of the two types of apparatus together with behavioural responses and physical attributes of the individual zooplankton species. Statistical correlation between these two methods was generally good in terms of the seasonal patterns of distribution of the population, but in terms of depth distribution and the relative abundance of the individual species of the population few significant correlations resulted. It is therefore suggested that unless merely seasonal trends are required, it is advisable to use more than one sampling apparatus to obtain valid data concerning the overall dynamics of such a zooplankton population.Department of Botany, University of Hong Kong     

鄱阳湖不同水文期浮游生物群落结构特征和影响因素及水质评价

为阐明鄱阳湖不同水文期浮游生物群落结构特征及其影响因素, 研究于2017年8月(丰水期)和12月(枯水期)在鄱阳湖湖区典型水域设置5个采样点进行浮游生物采样调查。研究期间共鉴定浮游植物8门75属186种, 丰水期与枯水期均以硅藻门和绿藻门为主。共鉴定浮游动物4类76种, 丰水期与枯水期均以原生动物和轮虫为主。方差分析显示: 浮游植物密度与生物量在不同水文期之间的差异均为极显著(P<0.01), 浮游动物丰水期密度高于枯水期, 但无显著差异(P>0.05), 浮游动物生物量(P<0.05)在不同水文期差异显著。冗余分析(RDA)显示: 丰水期透明度和浮游生物呈显著负相关关系, 电导率和浮游生物呈显著正相关。透明度、电导率与营养盐是影响丰水期浮游生物群落结构的主要环境因素, 枯水期水温和溶解氧是驱动鄱阳湖浮游生物群落生态分布的主要环境因素。基于Shannon-Wiener(H′)、Margalef(d)和Pielou(J)等生物多样性指数的水质评价结果表明: 鄱阳湖研究区域水质状态处于寡污-中污之间。研究揭示了2个水文期对通江湖泊浮游生物的影响: 季节变化不改变湖泊浮游生物的物种组成及优势种, 但显著影响浮游生物的丰度及多样性。     

A moorable,automated plankton sampler: comments on Lewis & Heckl (1991)

Comments on a recently described moorable, automated plankton sampler are given, mainly because it was designed to capture large zooplankton. However, the need for automatic devices for sampling phyto- and zooplankton is stressed. A new design for such a device is presented. A preliminary test was made using standard continuous-flow (auto-analyser) equipment, a cultured flagellate and formalin as a fixative.     

Variability of zooplankton community along a section of the Upper Victoria Nile, Uganda

Zooplankton community along a stretch of Upper Victoria Nile was investigated at selected sites between Kalange and Namasagali during April, August and October 2000 as part of a wider ecological study to generate biological baseline data prior to construction of a hydropower plant at Dumbbell Island. The study provided an opportunity to investigate a riverine zooplankton community for comparison with the more studied lake communities. Field sampling was made with a plankton net of 25 cm mouth opening and 60 μm nitex mesh; fitted with sandbags for ease of operation in water currents. Zooplankton subsamples were examined under an inverted microscope at ×100 magnification. The 27 species encountered belong to three broad taxonomic groups: Copepoda, Cladocera and Rotifera. Rotifers had the highest number of species (sixteen) followed by copepods (six). Species richness and total numerical abundance were high at the two upstream sites and decreased significantly downstream. High zooplankton densities at upstream sites during April plummeted to much lower levels in August and October. By comparison, species richness and numerical abundance were much lower than those of Lake Victoria; the ultimate source of the Upper Victoria Nile water. This may be due to differences between lotic and lentic habitats as both physical and biological processes are known to be limited under flowing water conditions. The high species richness and numerical abundance at the two upstream sites may be due to positioning of sampling points downstream of islands and/or rock outcrops for ease of net sampling as well as a richer food environment observed in a parallel study of algal biomass. The type and level of impacts of the proposed hydropower station on biological communities will be determined by site location: either upstream or downstream of the plant. Monitoring surveys of both environment and biological parameters during and after construction of the power plant will be necessary to keep track of ecosystem changes and their implications.     

Experimental studies of zooplankton–phytoplankton–nutrient interactions in a large subtropical lake (Lake Okeechobee, Florida, U.S.A.)

1. Over a 1-year period, twenty controlled experiments were performed using small mesocosms (20-l clear plastic carboys) and plankton communities collected from four sites in shallow, subtropical Lake Okeechobee, Florida. In replicated treatments, macrozooplankton grazers were excluded by size fractionation (115 μm), and/or nutrients (N and P) were added, and impacts on phytoplankton biomass and productivity were measured after 3-day incubations.
2. In most experiments (fifteen out of twenty), there was no significant effect of zooplankton exclusion on phytoplankton biomass or productivity, but there were significant increases in those attributes due to nutrient additions. The magnitude of the responses was a function of light availability at the collection sites.
3. In three experiments, zooplankton exclusion led to declines in phytoplankton biomass and productivity, suggesting that animals may sometimes have net positive effects on the phytoplankton, perhaps via nutrient recycling.
4. In only two experiments was there evidence of net negative impacts of grazers on the phytoplankton. In both instances, cladocerans ( Daphnia ambigua and Eubosmina tubicen ) were dominant in the zooplankton. However, the increases in chlorophyll a due to zooplankton exclusion were small (5–20%), probably because of the small size and relatively low grazing rates of the cladocerans.
5. The results support the hypothesis that phytoplankton biomass in Lake Okeechobee is little affected by herbivorous macrozooplankton. This may be a common feature of lowland tropical and subtropical lakes.     

Experimental studies of zooplankton–phytoplankton–nutrient interactions in a large subtropical lake (Lake Okeechobee, Florida, U.S.A.)

1. Over a 1-year period, twenty controlled experiments were performed using small mesocosms (20-l clear plastic carboys) and plankton communities collected from four sites in shallow, subtropical Lake Okeechobee, Florida. In replicated treatments, macrozooplankton grazers were excluded by size fractionation (115 μm), and/or nutrients (N and P) were added, and impacts on phytoplankton biomass and productivity were measured after 3-day incubations.
2. In most experiments (fifteen out of twenty), there was no significant effect of zooplankton exclusion on phytoplankton biomass or productivity, but there were significant increases in those attributes due to nutrient additions. The magnitude of the responses was a function of light availability at the collection sites.
3. In three experiments, zooplankton exclusion led to declines in phytoplankton biomass and productivity, suggesting that animals may sometimes have net positive effects on the phytoplankton, perhaps via nutrient recycling.
4. In only two experiments was there evidence of net negative impacts of grazers on the phytoplankton. In both instances, cladocerans ( Daphnia ambigua and Eubosmina tubicen ) were dominant in the zooplankton. However, the increases in chlorophyll a due to zooplankton exclusion were small (5–20%), probably because of the small size and relatively low grazing rates of the cladocerans.
5. The results support the hypothesis that phytoplankton biomass in Lake Okeechobee is little affected by herbivorous macrozooplankton. This may be a common feature of lowland tropical and subtropical lakes.     

Species Richness and Invasion Vectors: Sampling Techniques and Biases

During a European Union Concerted Action study on species introductions, an intercalibration workshop on ship ballast water sampling techniques considered various phytoplankton and zooplankton sampling methods. For the first time, all the techniques presently in use worldwide were compared using a plankton tower as a model ballast tank spiked with the brine shrimp and oyster larvae while phytoplankton samples were taken simultaneously in the field (Helgoland Harbour, Germany). Three cone-shaped and 11 non-cone shaped plankton nets of different sizes and designs were employed. Net lengths varied from 50 to 300 cm, diameters 9.7–50 cm, and mesh sizes 10–100 μm. Three pumps, a Ruttner sampler, and a bucket previously used in ballast water sampling studies were also compared. This first assessment indicates that for sampling ballast water a wide range of techniques may be needed. Each method showed different results in efficiency and it is unlikely that any of the methods will sample all taxa. Although several methods proved to be valid elements of a hypothetical `tool box' of effective ship sampling techniques. The Ruttner water sampler and the pump P30 provide suitable means for the quantitative phytoplankton sampling, whereas other pumps prevailed during the qualitative trial. Pump P15 and cone-shaped nets were the best methods used for quantitative zooplankton sampling. It is recommended that a further exercise involving a wider range of taxa be examined in a larger series of mesocosms in conjunction with promising treatment measures for managing ballast water. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A simple and inexpensive trap-tube sampler for zooplankton collection in shallow waters

The paper describes a new type of zooplankton sampler, which combines the concepts of the Pennak core sampler and the Schindler-Patalas plankton trap. The new sampler, called Trap Tube Sampler, consists of a PVC water pipe (1.5–2.0 m, long; 10 cm diameter) provided, at the bottom end, of a filtering unit and closing mechanism which alternatively closes the mouth of the tube and the mouth of the filtering unit. The new device is particularly suitable for collecting samples from the entire water column in shallow vegetated water bodies, fish ponds and mesocosm tanks.     

A statistical analysis of subsampling and an evaluation of the Folsom plankton splitter

Subsampling techniques are important for the determination of precise plankton density estimates. A binomial model of random subsampling, and its Poisson extension, were developed for the purpose of evaluating the performance of compartment-type plankton subsamplers. Two approaches were used to assess the performance of the Folsom plankton splitter on an extensive series of nearshore Lake Michigan crustacean zooplankton samples collected between 1974 and 1979. First, Folsom subsamples were observed to be significantly (p < 0.05) more variable than expected from the random model of subsampling. Second, a random effects ANOVA model was used to compare fractions of the total variance in density estimates that were attributable to subsampling and sampling phases of a specially designed study. Departures from randomness in subsampling were sufficiently small that an analysis of optimal allocation of effort between subsampling and sampling phases, based on the ANOVA model, indicated that only one to three subsamples needed to be examined per sample.     

Spatial patterns of planktonic microcrustaceans in a small shallow lake

The horizontal distribution of planktonic microcrustaceans was studied at two different spatial scales in a small shallow lake (Créteil Lake, Paris suburb, France) during the summer.At all scales of sampling, the distribution was patchy. However, the variations between sampling units were smallest when considering the smallest sampling grid (30 sampling units in a 0.5 ha area). Positive correlations between densities of most taxa were observed at this scale, indicating that a common set of factors could influence zooplankton patchiness.Physical factors, such as wind-induced currents, strongly influenced the lakewide distribution of zooplankton (43 sampling units in a 42 ha area). The horizontal pattern of each taxon appeared to be linked to its ability to form vertical aggregations. Moreover, offshore-nearshore differences in fecundity of several taxa suggest the action of biotic factors in the horizontal distribution of zooplankton. A higher predation risk in the littoral neighbourhood seems to be the more probable proximate - or ultimate - factor which could explain this pattern.In this small and shallow lake, most factors that can affect distribution of zooplankton are temporally variable and unpredictable. In the absence of automatic and efficient measuring techniques, the realisation of a small number of integrated samples at the level of the whole ecosystem could be a simple and suitable solution to obtain statistically reliable data on zooplankton demography.     

Mesh size and collection characteristics of 50-cm diameter conical plankton nets

This paper compares collection characteristics of #2-(363 µm), #10-(156 µm), and #20-(76 µm) mesh conical plankton nets: dimensions were 50-cm diameter by 1.6-m long. The #2-mesh net severely underestimated the abundances of Lake Michigan copepods and cladocerans with the exception of the largest species (Limnocalanus macrurus). Zooplankton abundance estimates were more similar for the #10- and #20-mesh nets collections. Nauplii, however, were severely undersampled by the #10-mesh net with abundance estimates approximately 8 to 12 times lower than for the #20-mesh net collections. Most other larger zooplankton were 50% more abundant in the 20-mesh net collections than in the #10-mesh net collections: such consistent differences occurred despite large variations in taxa size. This indicates that a sampling bias occurred other than the loss of zooplankton through the meshes of the #10 net. We hypothesize that, by incorrectly locating the flowmeter in the mouth of the plankton net, we underestimated the volume of water filtered by the easily-clogged #20-mesh net and therefore overestimated taxa abundances. We conclude that the #10-mesh net provided accurate estimates of microcrustacean zooplankton abundances except for nauplii. The #10-mesh net used in our study had a filtration area ratio of 3.06 and operated at a calculated average filtration efficiency of 98%. The #20-mesh net had a filtration area ratio of 1.86 and operated at calculated average filtration efficiencies ranging from 64.7% (41.7 m station) to 79.6% (6.3 m station). Calculations are presented which show how the filtration efficiencies of the nets used in our study could be improved by net redesign.     

Comparison of three zooplankton samplers: a taxon-specific assessment

We compared densities of zooplankton captured by three commonzooplankton samplers during 24 h. A tube sampler generally yieldedzooplankton densities equal to or greater than those from avertical net tow or a Schindler-Patalas trap. Exceptions includedherbivorous rotifers and Diaphanosoma. Because rotifer densityusually was greatest in the deepest stratum sampled (i.e. nearthe bottom of the tube), water loss with lifting probably accountedfor reduced rotifer capture. Why the tube and the Schindler-Patalastrap were less efficient than the net for Diaphanosoma remainsunclear. Because tubes sample the entire water column, providingzooplankton densities comparable with traditional gear, theyare a time-saving alternative for zooplankton sampling in shallowlakes and weedy littoral zones. ²The Unit is sponsored jointly by The United States Fish andWildlife Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, TheOhio State University and the Wildlife Management Institute.     

Comparison of sleds versus plankton nets for sampling fish larvae and eggs

Fish larvae and fish eggs were sampled from the inshore waters of eastern Lake Michigan from 1978 through 1980, using a benthic sled and a plankton net towed within 0.5 m of the lake bottom. Differences between estimates of ichthyoplankton abundance based on the benthic sled and those based on the plankton net towed near bottom were examined along with interactions between gear, bottom depth, and time of day. Time of day was determined to be an important factor in comparing these two gear, but data were inconclusive as to the effect of depth on gear differences. Abundance of fish eggs calculated using sled tow data was significantly higher than that for the plankton net. For nighttime collections, density of alewife Alosa pseudoharengus larvae sampled in the plankton net significantly exceeded that for the sled, whereas density of spottail shiner Notropis hudsonius larvae based on sled data was significantly higher than that based on the plankton net for day sampling. Overall, the plankton net appeared to be adequate for sampling abundance of alewife larvae, while the sled was preferred for sampling fish eggs, spottail shiner larvae, and the following less common, but apparently demersal larvae: trout-perch Percopsis omiscomaycus, johnny darter Etheostoma nigrum, ninespine stickleback Pungitius pungitius, and slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus.     

Life Cycle and Taxonomic Status of Senecella siberica Vyshkvartzeva 1994 (Copepoda,Calanoida) in Large Norilsk Lakes,Pyasina River Basin,Central Siberia

Biology Bulletin - During the winter of 2018, total zooplankton samples were taken under ice with a plankton net in Sobachye Lake, one of the large Norilsk lakes, in the western (April 13, May 6)...