Plankton. An Introduction to the Drifters. What are plankton?. Planktos – Greek meaning “to wander” Weakly swimming or drifting organisms Microscopic or macroscopic in size Plant (phytoplankton) or animal (zooplankton). Why are plankton important?. Food source (basis of the food web)
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An Introduction to the Drifters
Photo by: Lisa Wu
Students aboard the R/V Slover in the southern Chesapeake Bay
This plankton net is being deployed to collect near-surface plankton in Maug caldera. The net is about 2 m (6.5 ft) long and has a mesh size of 236 microns (0.25 mm or 0.01 in).
The large aluminum frame of the neuston net is 1 meter high and 3 meters long. Here the net is being deployed off the starboard side of the R/V Seward Johnson
over the side of the
ship or carried by divers to
collect drifting organisms
Image ID: fish1014, NOAA's Fisheries Collection Photo Date: 1987Photographer: Captain Robert A. Pawlowski, NOAA Corps
Image ID: nur05536, Voyage To Inner Space - Exploring the Seas With NOAA CollectPhotographer: J. MorinCredit: OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP)
Deploying Bongo nets for sampling plankton
Satellite Image of the Gulf of Maine
Image ID: spac0361, NOAA In Space Collection 2003 May 2
Examples include: fish and crab larvae.
Charleston Bump Expedition. Zooplankton, crab larva. Image ID: expl0172, Voyage To Inner Space - Exploring the Seas With NOAA CollectLocation: Southeast of Charleston, South CarolinaPhoto Date: 2003 August 7Photographer: Jerry MclellandCredit: Charleston Bump Expedition 2003. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration; Dr. George Sedberry, South Carolina DNR, Principal Investigator
Single cells or chains of cells
Include the smallest plankton – picoplankton (0.2 -2 microns)
Remain near the surface
Consumers (including herbivores and carnivores)
Include microscopic and macroscopic organisms
May vertically migrate (to a depth of 200m) during the day for protection but resurface at night to feedHow are phytoplankton different from zooplankton?
Scientists carefully observe characteristics and communicate these observations with sketches and photographs.
Ten slides depict specimens you might find in plankton samples. Note: They are from different tows representing different oceans and different depths.
The following sites have excellent resources for studying plankton. Information includes labs, instructions for making plankton nets, diagrams, photographs, and scientific research related to plankton.
Specimen # ___________
Circle one from each category:
Phytoplankton or Zooplankton
Holoplankton or Meroplankton
Now use your drawings to identify your specimens. Use any resources you have available or view the rest of the slides to discuss the specific organisms used.
Sketch by T.A. Arsala
Beautiful marine diatoms as seen through a microscope.
Image ID: corp2365, NOAA At The Ends of the Earth Collection Photographer: Dr. Neil Sullivan, University of Southern Calif.
Did you know that in Victorian times the geometry of diatom frustules was appreciated by hobbyists as well as scientists?
On microscope slides, diatom skeletons were arranged in artistic designs. In these arranged slides, the microscopic pictures are only a mm or two across and demonstrate the intricate structure and beauty of diatom anatomy.
Slides from the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia - photo by Jan Rines
Zooplankton. Copepod. Image ID: fish3229, NOAA's Fisheries Collection Photographer: Matt Wilson/Jay Clark, NOAA NMFS AFSC
Zooplankton. Copepod with eggs. Image ID: fish3261, NOAA's Fisheries Collection Photographer: Matt Wilson/Jay Clark, NOAA NMFS AFSC
(temporary members of the plankton)
Zooplankton. Fish larvae. Image ID: fish3363, NOAA's Fisheries Collection Photographer: Matt Wilson/Jay Clark, NOAA NMFS AFSC
Although usually found near the surface plankton may also be collected at all depths even over hydrothermal vents in the deep sea
Pacific Ring of Fire Expedition. Some common zooplankton (mostly copepods) collected near the surface over East Diamante volcano. Image ID: expl0102, Voyage To Inner Space - Exploring the Seas With NOAA CollectLocation: Mariana Arc region, Western Pacific OceanPhoto Date: 2004 AprilCredit: Pacific Ring of Fire 2004 Expedition. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration; Dr. Bob Embley, NOAA PMEL, Chief Scientist
Photo by: Karen Bullen and F. Lampazzi in the Ocean ography Lab at
The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Zooplankton. Octopus larva. Image ID: fish3612, NOAA's Fisheries Collection Photographer: Matt Wilson/Jay Clark, NOAA NMFS AFSC