Plankton Pumps
Zooplankton abundance measurements
The plankton pump at Barkley Canyon measures zooplankton abundance. Measurements from the plankton pump and the sediment trap combined are able to study the larval, zooplankton and particle flux between the water column and sediment. B
The plankton pumps (and sediment traps) have a unique sampling period. The instrument sampling scheme is scheduled by the instruments themselves. Sampling of the plankton pump is based on event detection where a sample collects a sample and waits for the end of the event to trigger another sample. Samples from the plankton pump are retrieved during maintenance cruises every 6-12 months. Lab analysis of the samples include size distribution, content etc.
Deploying and recovering the plankton pump at Barkley Canyon
Deployment, September 2009
Recovery, May 2010
Plankton Pumps on the Seafloor
Plankton pump previously deployed next to Barkley Benthic Pod 3