Since most plankton is smaller than we can see, they must be looked at using a microscope. They are usually strained from the water using fine mesh nets or sieves with tiny holes. Typical plankton nets have a round opening and look like a funnel that leads into a collection bucket at the end of the net. The nets are
One of the simplest biological samplers, zooplankton nets are made in a wide variety of styles and sizes. The two nets in the MARMAP Bongo vertical-haul net system explained here each have a mouth diameter of about 25 cm.
Arctic Ocean Biodiversity is a Census of Marine Life project aimed at coordinating research efforts examining the diversity in each of the three major realms: sea ice, water column and sea floor, including fish, mammals & birds. This program will consolidate what is known and fill remaining gaps in our knowledge: it leads the Arctic Ocean diversity cluster within the
Windows to the Universe offers information on plankton. Also associated are resources on other ocean life, marine ecology, and human impacts of marine environments.
The seismic equipment that is being used for TAMNNET (studying the Transantarctic Mountains) was specially engineered for use in polar climates. Polar projects commonly require a level of support that is several times that of seismic experiments in less demanding environments inclusive of very remote deployments. This site offers great engineering insights, design drawings, and additional related links.
Ice Stories is a project from the San Francisco Exploratorium as 'Dispatches from Polar Scientists' as an outreach effort from the 2007-08 International Polar Year. The Antarctic Geology focuses on mountains in East and West Antarctica. Be sure to check out the videos associated on the website "Secrets of Bedrock" and "Mystery Mountains".
NBC Learn, in partnership with the National Science Foundation, explores the impact that climate change is having on our planet. In this video, IARC's Dr. Katey Walter Anthony and IARC affiliate Dr. Vladimir Romanovsky are interviewed about permafrost, methane, and their impacts on the environment. Viewers are given an explosive demonstration.
NASA GISS Institute on Climate and Planets education tools on Global Methane Inventory. This resource gives an introduction to the methane cycle as well as lessons, projects, research, and reference materials.