| Summary: | Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeeded Statement: Data sampling is being conducted as part of a larger IMOS monitoring program. The silk is removed from the CPR cassette and processed as described in Richardson et al 2006. The phytoplankton colour index (PCI) and the phytoplankton data are also analysed as per Richardson et al 2006. The zooplankton analysis is conducted differently to that described in Richardson et al 2006 as it is counted off the silk in a bogorov tray. This is accomplished by rinsing the silks in water and straining through a 10 micron mesh sieve. The collected plankton is transferred to a bogorov tray and counted under a disecting scope. This is done to retain the phytoplankton. AusCPR decided to analyse the zooplankton this way as it provides a more accurate analysis of the zooplankton present. It is easy to miss zooplankton when it is still on the silk and it is harder to identify. After counting the zooplankton and phytoplankton are transferred onto a preweighed filter and dried in an oven at 60 degrees C for 24-48 hours. Once dried the sample is reweighed to attain dry weight. Statement: For NRS stations only - Derived Indices Biomass This index includes the total mass of living organisms in sea water collected through the CPR. Thus, values provided by this parameter comprise the organic carbon from the plankton. Abundance Abundance is measured here as total number of elements (or individuals) for a specific taxon in sea water. This derived product is provided for phytoplankton (total number of cells), zooplankton and copepods (total number of animals). Mean total length of copepods This index provides the mean total length of copepod in the sample. Mean volume of cells This index provides the mean volume of a phytoplankton cell in the sample, calculated from the individual cell size, cell morphology and cell abundance. Total phytoplankton carbon Total mass of phytoplankton as carbon is calculated using standard conversion factors of biovolume to carbon for each cell, then summed ...
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