In Situ Measurements of Plankton Biorhythms Using Submersible Holographic Camera

Area of Science:

• Aquatic ecology
• Biological oceanography
• Plankton dynamics

Background:

• Understanding plankton behavior and ecosystem interactions is crucial for aquatic health.
• Rhythmic processes in plankton are complex and influenced by environmental factors.
• Current methods for plankton study may not fully capture dynamic behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel diagnostic complex for plankton studies utilizing a mini digital holographic camera (miniDHC).
• To investigate the synchronization of collective biological rhythms in plankton with environmental parameters in situ.
• To establish a foundation for a stationary monitoring station for ecological assessment.

Main Methods:

• Deployment of a diagnostic complex featuring the miniDHC for in situ plankton studies.
• Collection of data on plankton rhythmic processes and environmental parameters in Lake Baikal.
• Verification of findings using traditional mesh-based biodiversity data.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the capability of the miniDHC complex to study rhythmic processes in plankton ecosystems.
• Identified significant correlations between plankton biological rhythms and environmental factors.
• Found water temperature to be the most significant and reliable factor correlating with plankton rhythms.

Conclusions:

• The diagnostic complex effectively captures plankton behavior and rhythmic synchronization.
• Water temperature is a key driver influencing plankton collective rhythms.
• The study provides a basis for developing digitalized plankton monitoring systems for ecological assessment.