JUNE 23
SCIENTIFIC WORKS
Studying the rise of meroplanctonic larvae during phytoplankton bloom
The phytoplankton bloom in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, is closely followed by a rise in meroplanctonic larvae of echinoderms, polychaetes and crustaceans. Meroplanctonic means that these larvae stay in the plankton only for a short time before settling on the seafloor to mature. In the photo below you can see how the sample was taken using a plankton net with very small holes of just 55 micrometers from a depth of 20 meters.
Reproduction is an important period for these organisms, and the success of their offspring depends on good timing with food availability and overall fitness. Both of these factors are affected by global changes.
Our PhD student Lola Nader sorted through the sample from our weekly sampling at KB3, and observed its movement under the microscope. You can see it in the gallery below.
