Southeastern Plankton Monitoring Network (SEPMN)

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On April 11, 2007, I gathered my first plankton sample (on my own) as instructed by NOAA's SEPMN (Southeastern Phytoplankton Monitoring Network), Jeff Paternoster. Data is collected and monitoring for toxic phytoplankton blooms along the Atlantic, and entered into the national database. It's a network of volunteers, and NOAA provides training and equipment free of cost.

The slide contained numerous organisms, which I've photographed and (slowly) placing at my page on the 4/11/2007 Phytoplankton Count. The microscope slide (provided by SEPMN) contains a vertical row A-H and a horizontal row from 1-8. Thus, I've broken down each set of photos into groups A-1, A-2, A-3... presently I've only made it to the B's.
One of the most interesting critters I ran up on so far, was this guy:

I'm waiting for a positive identification, but this critter looks like it may have broken from its chain and bears resemblance with Chaetoceros. However, it may be a single organism. At this point, I'm uncertain, and waiting for an expert to id the genus.
Jeff told me the reason these creatures have such long appendages is because it gives them size, not weight, which equates to increased bouyancy in the water. Pretty efficient...

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Diatoms in Atlantic Ocean

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Salt Water Microbes and Centric Diatom
Diatom getting kicked around revealing its three dimensional shape. Three clips of microscopic organisms, from salt water sample, East Coast, Atlantic Ocean.

All images, Salt Water Plankton
Salt Water Microbes
Microbial activity in salt water sample taken from Atlantic Ocean; North Carolina coastline. Diatom getting rolled around by zooplankton exposing its round surface, and flat shape from side.

Videos filmed using 100x magnification on microscope, and increased magnification up to 4-∞ using digital camera.

Plankton tow sample, for Southeast Phytoplankton Monitoring Network

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Pleurotaenium and Desmids

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After a week observing algae under the microscope, I've came across numerous algae which share similarity with chain diatoms, but I don't feel these are the same. There are always two sections to this algae strand, and today I caught this particular organism moving itself, similar to euglena (wmv, 10804 k), except the body is not flexible and does not bend. I'm still unclear on the precise identification but feel it must be related, if only distantly to this particular species (below).

A Desmid - Pleurotaenium sp. Found in Sheepwater. It is a green alga, and the wavy lines in the middle distinguish this from other desmids. (x400) Photo: 21st April 2006.
Source: Freshwater and Terrestrial Algae

Example one from my algae sample

Original high resolution image
Approx. 400x magnification w/ digital camera

Gamophyceae: Zygnematales: Desmidiaceae
Pleurotaenium
Nägeli
Genus: Cell body long cylindroid; a slight constriction at center; cross section of the semicells spherical, slightly swell at the center but without a folded structure as Docidium; slightly tapered toward both ends, which are truncated and smooth or surrounded by granules or various small structures; laterally straight or wavy, with spiny projections in some species; 2-10 ribbon-like chloroplasts in each semicell; with many pyrenoids; a vacuole containing active granules at both ends same as in Closterium; cell wall mostly dotted, but with spines or other patterns in some species (Illustrations of The Japanese Fresh-water Algae, 1977).
From Pleurotaenium, Protist Images

Google images contains numerous specimen with likeness and similarity.



Revista Brasileira de Biologia
Desmids, and specifically Pleurotaenium, see diagram in middle of the page.
"Figs. 17-19 – Pleurotaenium eherenbergii var. eherenbergii; Figs. 20-22 – Pleurotaenium trabecula var. elongatum"

Enlarged Image
Example two from my algae sample
Approximate 100x magnification
A similar algae, is the Gonatozygon and here. Some algae groups which share resemblance with my samples, are also available under Desmids

Desmids can be recognised by their symmetry. Two, mostly ornamented semi-cells are joined by a narrow connection called the isthmus. This where the spherical nucleus is situated. Each semi-cell houses a large, often folded chloroplast. One or more pyrenoids can be found. These form carbohydrates for energy storage.
[A specimen very similar to mine, is located under "Where can you find Desmids?"]
DESMIDS by Wim van Egmond

Enlarged Image
Example three from my algae sample
Approximate 1000x magnification w/ digital camera

Enlarged Image
Example four from my algae sample
Approximate 40x magnification

More high resolution images, available here.

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