Welcome To Our Plankton Page

Neil Glickstein explains plankton tow procedure to the "plankton gang."

On April 11, 1996 the Plankton group from Woods Hole researched the various forms of plankton found in Eel Pond. We did five minute vertical tows using a 75 mesh plankton net to find the various micro organisns within the pond. These tows were taken at five separate times throughout the day: 12:15,1:20, 2:25, 3:30 and 8:00 (p.m.EDT). Further examination of organisms was done under the microscope, and a video camera was used to take and record pictures for further research.

Neil and the "plankton gang" observe a sample obtained
from the plankton tow taken at 12:15 p.m.

Daytime Tow: (four tows taken, contents similar in each tow)

1. Medusa
a) Aurelia
b) small hydromedusa

2. Copepods
a) Calanus -- 6 to10 organisms per 5 minute tow; varying sizes large and small
b) Unidentified species -- fewer in number

3. Ostracods
a) Cypridina -- found only in one tow

Wayward Nauplius visiting from Friday Harbor.

Night Time Tow (one tow taken)

1. Amphipods -- numerous

2. Copepods
a) Calanus -- 200 organisms per 5 minute tow

3. Medusa
a) Aurelia
b) Small hydromedusae

4. Ostracods
a) Cypridina -- more found than in daytime tow

Jamie Larsen and student observe a sample taken from Eel Pond.

Open Sea Tow: (one taken, midmorning)

1. Larval fish

2. Ctenophore

3. Medusa -- extremely numerous

4. Tunicate larva

5. Barnacle larve

6. Filamentous algae

7. Sponge fragment

Plankton Net Sketch by Robert Galatis, Somerville High School

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