© 1998 by ICES/CIEM International Council for the Exploration of the Sea/Conseil International pour l'Exploration de la Mer
Updating the Continuous Plankton Recorder: an improved tool for integrated plankton monitoring
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Fisheries Laboratory Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, England, UK
Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (SAHFOS), The Laboratory Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, England, UK
Agricultural and Environmental Science Division, Department of Agriculture (DANI) Belfast, BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, UK
Correspondence to D. K. Mills: tel: +44 1502 524 253; fax: +44 1502 513 685; e-mail: d.k.mills{at}cefas.co.uk
After providing unique records of plankton distribution for over 60 years, the Continuous Plankton Recorder survey needs to be updated in order to obtain improved information on vertical distribution and abundance of plankton, the physico-chemical environment, and on microplankton. To meet these requirements, a new body has been developed with the capability to undulate and carry a larger payload whilst retaining the ability to be deployed from ships of opportunity. To improve estimates of abundance, miniature current meters have been developed to quantify flow through the sampler mechanisms. An appropriate suite of environmental sensors has been identified and a suitable microplankton sampler mechanism has been developed. The new body (U-Tow) has been successfully deployed in undulating mode with the standard plankton sampler mechanism and a range of environmental sensors. The microplankton sampler prototype has been built. This system will be integrated with smart logger and sensor system allowing a sample to be taken dependent upon externally measured environmental conditions.
Keywords: Continuous Plankton Recorder, CPR, monitoring, plankton sampler, towed body, spatio-temporal variability