Simultaneous measurement of zooplankton and light attenuance with a new optical plankton counter

Abstract A new optical plankton counter capable of counting and sizing zooplankton and simultaneously measuring light attenuance is described. The submersible model can be towed or lowered on station while a laboratory version is used to process samples from a pump outflow or animals preserved in formalin. The submersible model has been mounted on the Batfish vehicle and towed for extended periods of 15–20 h allowing it to be used as a survey tool. Data showing copepod layers in deep shelf basins are presented and comparisons made between light attenuance measured with the plankton counter and chlorophyll fluorescence measured with an in situ fluorometer also mounted on the Batfish. The submersible counter was also towed while mounted on the BIONESS (a multiple opening and closing net system) and comparisons are made between the measured profiles and size distributions of copepods.

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