Plankton net

The upper part of a plankton net consisting of (1) towing line connected to (2) three-point bridle, which are responsible for holding the plankton net

A plankton net is equipment used for collecting samples of plankton in standing bodies of water. It consists of a towing line and bridles, nylon mesh net, and a cod end. Plankton nets are considered one of the oldest, simplest and least expensive methods of sampling plankton.[1] The plankton net can be used for both vertical and horizontal sampling.[1] It allows researchers to analyse plankton both quantitatively (cell density, cell colony or biomass) and qualitatively (e.g. Chlorophyll-a as a primary production of phytoplankton) in water samples from the environment.

A simple plankton net
Cod end—an outlet valve with collecting cylinder
Aquatic scientist casting a plankton net in Brown's Lake Bog.
  1. ^ a b Gutkowska, Agnieszka; Paturej, Ewa; Kowalska, Ewa (2012). "Qualitative and quantitative methods for sampling zooplankton in shallow coastal estuaries" (PDF). Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology. 12 (3): 253–263. doi:10.1016/s1642-3593(12)70208-2.