Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton is monitored as part of the Danish national monitoring programme. Chlorophyll (a) concentration is used as an indirect measure of total phytoplankton biomass in most areas.

In addition, at a smaller number of stations, phytoplankton is characterised and quantified (as carbon biomass) from microscopy.

Water samples for microscopy are integrated samples representing the top 10m of the water column. Samples are collected using an integrating hose or as discrete samples from several depths mixed prior to analysis.

Zooplankton

The zooplankton can be divided in two groups the microzooplankton < 200 µm and the mesozooplankton > 200 µm.

The microzooplankton is composed of protozoa ( e.g. ciliates and heterotrophic dinoflagellates) and the smaller developmental stages of the mesozooplankton. The microzooplankton is normally collected by water bottles together with the samples for phytoplankton.

The mesozooplankton is the zooplankton fraction > 200 µm. The mesozooplankton is composed by two main groups, the holoplankton that is pelagic throughout their life cycle and the meroplankton composed by pelagic larvae stages of benthic organisms. The mesozooplankton is normally dominated by copepods, cladocera and meroplankton. The mesozooplankton is normally collected by plankton nets or submersible pumps.

Data

Information on sampling locations within the Danish national marine monitoring program (NOVA 2003) and download of data can be accessed.

Inquires concerning phytoplankton can be sent to Peter Henriksen.

Inquires concerning zooplankton can be sent to Torkel Gissel Nielsen.