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Discrete sample |
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Equipment needed to gather weekly phytoplankton samples at the Santa Cruz Wharf. Equipment includes a discrete sampler and a plankton net, along with gloves, a thermometer, tape and pens, and a plastic bucket and bottles for holding collected samples. Unlike the plankton net, a discrete sampler collects water from a specific depth.
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The sampler is composed of a gray plastic tube with plunger ends. Before lowering it into the water the sampler is "charged" - the plunger ends are opened and fastened with a pin. The sampler is then lowered into the water with a rope. When the desired depth is reached, the pin is released with either a quick tug on the rope or a lead messenger. The plunger ends close, capturing the sample. |
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Discrete samples are collected each week from depths of 10ft, 5ft and the surface. In contrast to the depth-integrated sample collected with a plankton net, the discrete sample provides a snapshot of the phytoplankton community at a specific depth. | |||