HR: 11:05h
AN: OS42A-04    [Abstracts]
TI: A New Submersible Imaging-in-flow Instrument to Monitor Nano- and Microplankton: Imaging FlowCytobot
AU: * Olson, R J
EM: rolson@whoi.edu
AF: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Biology Dept., MS 32, Woods Hole, MA 02543
AU: Sosik, H M
EM: hsosik@whoi.edu
AF: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Biology Dept., MS 32, Woods Hole, MA 02543
AU: Shalapyonok, A
EM: alexi@whoi.edu
AF: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Biology Dept., MS 32, Woods Hole, MA 02543
AB: Understanding of how coastal plankton communities are regulated has traditionally been limited by undersampling, but cabled observatories now provide opportunities to deploy submersible sensors that have high power and data transmission requirements. We have developed an in situ instrument to carry out high-resolution, long term monitoring of phytoplankton and microzooplankton in the size range 10 to100 micrometers, to be deployed at cabled research facilities such as the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory (MVCO). The new instrument is designed to complement FlowCytobot, a submersible flow cytometer currently deployed at MVCO that uses fluorescence and light scattering signals from a laser beam to characterize the smallest phytoplankton cells (less than 10 micrometers). Imaging FlowCytobot uses a combination of flow cytometric and video technology to capture images of organisms for identification and to measure chlorophyll fluorescence associated with each image. Images will be classified using neural net software, while the measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence will allow us to discriminate heterotrophic from phototrophic cells. The new instrument, like the original FlowCytobot is autonomous but remotely programmable. It utilizes a computer controlled syringe pump and distribution valve that allows periodic anti-fouling treatment and analysis of standard beads. Samples are analyzed continuously (0.25 to 2.5 ml per min) and data is sent over a fiber optic link to a remote computer for analysis. Preliminary results indicate that we can detect cells as small as 5 micrometers and discriminate several taxa of diatoms and dinoflagellates.
DE: 4815 Ecosystems, structure and dynamics
DE: 4842 Modeling
DE: 4855 Plankton
DE: 4880 Trophodynamics
DE: 4894 Instruments and techniques
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting