Marine Sciences

Aditya Nayak

Florida Atlantic University

In situ digital holography for characterizing plankton distributions and fine-scale biophysical interactions in the ocean

Aquatic phytoplankton generate nearly half of the global primary production; they are the base of most aquatic food webs and form an important component of the oceanic biological pump. Plankton distributions in the ocean are incredibly ‘patchy’ (non-homogeneous), as evidenced by phenomena such as harmful algal blooms (HABs) and ‘thin layers’ – vertically limited aggregations of enhanced plankton concentration. Due to their high biomass, plankton also influence ocean optics and their concentration and orientation in the water column can alter light propagation and enhance backscattering. Sinking planktonic aggregates are an important pathway to sequester carbon to the ocean’s interior. Thus, characterizing the presence, diversity, and abundance of plankton is critical for a range of studies in the aquatic sciences.

Recent advances in imaging technologies have enabled direct in situ and (relatively) undisturbed measurements of suspended particles and plankton at high spatial and temporal resolutions. Unlike standard imaging techniques, digital holography characterizes the distribution of particles/plankton over a 3D sample volume in a relatively undisturbed manner. Holography can provide invaluable insights into planktonic research including: (i) fine scale distribution and aggregation patterns of planktonic organisms; (ii) behavioral studies, e.g., predator-prey interactions and orientation in flow; and (iii) size, shape, and abundance of different planktonic species in the water column. In this talk, a custom-built in situ holographic imaging system, with the capability to resolve particles and plankton over a size ranging from ~ 10 µm – 3 cm, will be presented. The versatile system has been successfully deployed in a wide range of freshwater, estuarine and marine environments, including the Gulf of Mexico, coastal Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Balearic and Baltic Seas and Lake Erie. Specific examples of in situ field observations using holography to address both fundamental and applied research questions, including but not limited to, characterizing harmful algal blooms, phytoplankton and ciliate thin layers, and plankton orientation in flow, will be presented.

Host: Kate Randolph
Time & Date: 11:00 am, Friday, November 22, 2024
Place: Lowell Weicker Building, Seminar Room 103 (or WebEx)

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Cancellation & Additional Seminar Details

If you are an individual with a disability and need accommodations, please contact 860-405-9152 or email marinesciencesseminars@uconn.edu.

This is an Honors Event. See tags below for categories. #UHLevent10973

https://marinesciences.uconn.edu/seminar/brownbag1248/

Please email Katie for the link to join online.

Vincent Pieribone

Yale University

Host: Senjie Lin
Time & Date: 11:00 am, Friday, December 6, 2024
Place: Lowell Weicker Building, Seminar Room 103 (or WebEx)

Request Seminar Information

Cancellation & Additional Seminar Details

If you are an individual with a disability and need accommodations, please contact 860-405-9152 or email marinesciencesseminars@uconn.edu.

https://marinesciences.uconn.edu/seminar/brownbag1248/

Please email Katie for the link to join online.