Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/11/2009 - 15:42
Forums
Spring Plankton and Changing Ice Cover

How many kinds of spring plankton are there?

Thu, 03/12/2009 - 17:22

Simone Welch

That is a great question!  I will let you know soon.  I'm leaving for the boat in 19 days and counting! :)

Sat, 03/28/2009 - 18:17

Guest

when you find this plankton what will you do with it ?
another thing do you know how to attract this plankton .

Sat, 03/28/2009 - 18:27

danny anderson

phytoplankton is this what causes red tide?
good luck on the trip send me an email when you get their .

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 17:56

Guest

During spring in the Bering Sea these scientists often sample from 20-40 different identifiable species!

Tue, 04/07/2009 - 09:17

Simone Welch

Scientists on this boat, generally collect samples from 25-40 identifiable types of plankton!

Tue, 04/07/2009 - 09:17

Simone Welch

Scientists on this boat, generally collect samples of 25-40 identifiable types of plankton!

Tue, 04/07/2009 - 09:20

Simone Welch

There are a few different kinds of nets in use on the boat.  They all have funny names like Bongos (which look like bongo drums) and Calvets (which look like a pair of pants).  The nets are lowered overboard into the water then drawn up slowly.  The contents are then analyzed on board.

Tue, 04/07/2009 - 09:23

Simone Welch

You are right- this is caused by a specific type of plankton, dinoflagellates.  A red pigment in their bodies causes the surface of the ocean look red.

Thu, 04/09/2009 - 15:33

danny anderson

can you tell me ,can you attract this plankton in anyway or is it free floating .

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 08:32

Ron Wilkins

Simone .... I am enjoying your posts regarding your trip aboard the CGC HEALY. I am a CG Moderator for the Coast Guard boards at USMILNET and our forum is following your trip on our "The Changing Climate Of WAR and PEACE - The Emerging Arctic" thread.
I have to admit that your 4/8/09 journal entry "Bering Sea, Southeast of St. Matthews Island" being an old geezer gave me a chuckle as it reminded me of an old rock song by Five Man Electric Band called "SIGNS".
Here it is on youtube .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiJk6MeBx54
Enjoy,
Ron Wilkins
USCG 1966-1970

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 09:14

Simone Welch

Hi Danny!
You can attract zooplankton with light only under very calm conditions.  Plankton is only able to migrate vertically though, not horizontally.  In other words, coming up from the bottom is possible but otherwise motion is dictated by the movement of the ocean.  The various nets that the scientists collect the plankton with have very fine filters that catch all sizes and types of plankton pretty effectively without have to attract them. Keep writing!

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 09:16

Simone Welch

Hello!
Thank you so much for following my journals!  There were so many good signs to choose from that I had to narrow them down to my favorites. Thank you for the link also. :)  
Best,
Simone

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 16:35

danny anderson

thanks Simone
some pics of the plankton would be neat to see.
close ups would be great .

Sun, 04/12/2009 - 20:05

Simone Welch

Hi again- Check out the 4.11 post about Calanus.  Calanus are copepods, fairly large zooplankton.  I included a picture in this post.  It should be up on Monday!-S

Tue, 04/14/2009 - 15:01

danny

a few more pics of the different plankton's would be nice to see thanks