FlowCAM: an instrument for continuously monitoring and imaging phytoplankton

Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Unknown

Publication_Date: Unknown

Title: FlowCAM: an instrument for continuously monitoring and imaging phytoplankton

Edition:

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:

Series_Information:

Series_Name:

Issue_Identification:

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place:

Publisher: Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

Other_Citation_Details:

Online_Linkage:

Description:

Abstract:

At the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, we have developed an instrument, the Flow Cytometer and Microscope (FlowCAM) which generates valuable data complementary to that provided by the coastal monitoring programs. While continuously monitoring phytoplankton, it affords meaningful answers to seminal questions. Such concerns include the absolute abundance of phytoplankton, the changes in the plankton population and community structure, and the need for an early warning of the presence of harmful phytoplankton. The FlowCAM also allows review of each cell. (FlowCAM) continuously monitors the abundance of phytoplankton and some small zooplankton. FlowCAM also generates images of each cell that can be used to detect the influx of potentially harmful organisms. The FlowCAM instrument website includes plankton images taken during a research cruise in the Gulf of Maine and from the new modularized FlowCAM instrument. FlowCAM data and cell images can be downloaded via the internet for further analysis. Every cell measured by the FlowCAM has data describing twelve different characteristics including time of passage into the instrument, cell size, and chlorophyll and phycoerythrin content. Internet access to recently generated and previously stored data enhances the ease of analysis. The computer program displayphycoerythrin and size. Cells with similar size and phycoerythrin or chlorophyll content tend to form groups on the plot. The user may select a region of the scattergram with the computer mouse and the computer will display images of all cells that are represented by dots in that region. This feature allows the user to rapidly review a sample. The FlowCAM was designed for imaging and measuring plankton in the size range of 20 micrometers to 1 millimeter. This range covers all cells of interest to the biotoxin monitoring community and those included in the Common Plankton Key used for Maine waters. While the FlowCAM is not able to discern details smaller than 3 micrometers, it can often be used to identify cells to the genus level. Since some species are very unique in shape or size, they may be identified with the FlowCAM to the species level.

Purpose:

Not Available

Supplemental_Information:

Not Available

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 19980101

Ending_Date: Unknown

Currentness_Reference:Unknown

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed

Spatial_Domain:

Description_of_Geographic_Extent:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -125.0

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -65.0

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 50.0

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 23.0

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: GCMD SCIENCE PARAMETERS

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ANCILLARY KEYWORDS

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO TOPIC CATEGORY

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: DATA SET LANGUAGE

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > VEGETATION > HERBIVORY > GRAZING

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > NUTRIENTS

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > SALINITY/DENSITY > SALINITY

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS > PLANKTON > ZOOPLANKTON > MICROZOOPLANKTON

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS > PLANKTON > MICROPLANKTON

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS > PLANKTON

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS > PELAGIC HABITAT

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE HABITAT

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS > ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS > BIOMASS DYNAMICS

Theme_Keyword: Gulf Of Maine

Theme_Keyword: Redims

Theme_Keyword: Research Environmental Data And Information Management System

Theme_Keyword: BIOTA

Theme_Keyword: GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

Theme_Keyword: OCEANS

Theme_Keyword: ENGLISH

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: GCMD

Place_Keyword: OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN

Place_Keyword: CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > MAINE > GULF OF MAINE

Place_Keyword: OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF MAINE

Access_Constraints: Not Available

Use_Constraints:

Not Available

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

Not Available

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Not Available

Completeness_Report:

Not Available

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Not Available

Process_Date: Unknown

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: BIGELOW > Bigelow Laboratory of Ocean Sciences

Contact_Person: BIGELOW LABORATORY OF OCEAN SCIENCES

Contact_Position: DATA CENTER CONTACT

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address

Address: 180 McKown Point, P.O. Box 475

City: West Boothbay Harbor

State_or_Province: ME

Postal_Code: 04575-0475

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (207) 633-9600

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (207) 633-9641

Resource_Description: flowcam_bigelow

Distribution_Liability:

Not Available

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name:

http://www.bigelow.org/

Access_Instructions:

DATA CENTER URL

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Fees: Free

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20010130

Metadata_Review_Date: 20050726

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: MELANIE F. MEAUX

Contact_Position: DIF AUTHOR

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: gsfc-gcmduso@mail.nasa.gov

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

Metadata_Time_Convention: local time