What is the best type of plankton net to deploy in wadeable rivers? Our lab is looking into phytoplankton assemblage in our river and we are debating a cod end with mesh to allow flow to go through and trap specimens against the mesh, or a cod end that is just a cup to try and minimize damage to specimes.
It would be helpful to know what type of plankton nets your lab is using and why you chose that net.
Thanks!
Dear Gary,
I hope I understood your query correctly; based on my understanding, I'd intuitively recommend the "classical" variety i.e., a "cup"-type (glass) cylinder at the end for sample collection. If you are trapping specimen against a mesh, you run the risk - as you are pointing out - of damaging the specimen. Moreover, if your sample is contained in a closed vessel, it should be statistically and empirically more accurate, e.g. if you are conducting further chemical analyses of the sample. I'll insert the pertinent site of one of our prime suppliers here:
https://www.hydrobios.de/en/products?groupid=4
If you scroll down the page, you'll find the Apstein models which should be what you're looking for.
Hope this is helpful.
Best,
Julius
Ended up purchasing the Apstein 55 from Hydro Bios. It comes with a ring weight that is removable so we can use it in streams. Thanks for the advice!
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