Plankton

PLANKTON

Materials Needed: Plankton net, two clear nalgene jars, a boat, microscope, slides.

Procedure: 1. Take the net and jars out in the boat. 2. Drag the net on the waters surface for approx. 30 seconds. 3. Place water collected in the net in a labled nalgene jar. 4. Repeat, except this time drag the net on the bottom of the pond. Place the water and debris collected in a second nalgene jar, also labeled. 5. When you get back to the classroom, leave the jars topless on a windowsill until the plankton can be taken and identified under a microscope.

This test shows the ability of the water to hold small forms of life. If there is a highly diverse number of plankton in the water, water quality is high. A low diversity of species would show a low water quality.

Typical results will show approx 5 species of plankton. Dependng on the water quality, more or less may be present. The most common species may be the diatom //Asterionella//, //Nematode//, or //Cilliphoria//.