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"How Sailor's Can Help Gather Data on Phytoplankton Levels"
I was directed to his BBC News article: Seafarer Science: Sailors asked to help measure plankton by a blog I'm following. The article speaks of how scientists are estimating that the phytoplankton levels have dropped 40% since the 1950s due to climate change. However, these are estimates, as the data on phytoplankton levels are sparse. Here is where the sailors/seafarers come into play. Plymouth University's Marine Institute (in the United Kingdom) are asking seafarers for help in gathering information/data for them. While phytoplankton are a key to the marine food chain, there is not enough research funding to explore all the oceans. Why not use boaters who are already out upon the seas?
The marine phytoplankton account for approximately 50% of all photosynthesis on Earth and, through the plankton food web that they support, they both underpin the marine food chain and play a central role in the global carbon cycle strongly influencing the Earth’s climate.The idea is to lower the disk until it becomes obscured, take note of the measurement on the tape, and send in your data. They only ask that this not be done in estuaries.
Living at the surface of the sea the phytoplankton are particularly sensitive to changes in sea surface temperature. A recent study of global phytoplankton abundance over the last century concluded that global phytoplankton concentrations have declined due to rising sea surface temperatures as a consequence of current climate change.
We need to know much more about these changes and you can help by making a simple piece of scientific equipment called a Secchi Disk and using the Secchi App.
Sounds like a great way to participate in the on going research/study of the world around us.
Blessed Be
Joel
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