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How to Catch Zooplankton

Plankton, the bottom link in the ocean's food chain, are very tiny sea creatures. Phytoplankton (small plants) and zooplankton (small animals) are food for hundreds of larger sea creatures. Krill, copepods and pteropods are just a few of the many types of zooplankton. Oceanographers assess the health of a maritime area by examining its plankton content and condition. Marine vessels tow large nets to gather plankton for research. With homemade nets, amateur naturalists can do their own zooplankton projects.

Things You'll Need

Badminton or tennis racquet
Duct tape
A nylon or pantyhose leg
Heavy-duty thread and needle
Scissors
Small stone
Eye dropper
Microscope slides with hollow
Microscope
Large jar with lid
Blank stickers
Permanent marker
Zooplankton identification guide

Instructions

- 1
  Cut netting out of an old tennis or badminton racquet. Or, an inexpensive plastic toy racquet will work as the handle for your plankton net. It should be about 20 to 25 inches around.
- 2
  Fold the open top end of the stocking or pantyhose leg around the round part of the racquet that held netting. To secure it, sew with heavy-duty thread and needle. If preferred, stocking can be secured using duct tape to hold it in place.
- 3
  To prevent nylon from floating on top of water, place small stones in toes, then knot stocking firmly above the stones.
- 4
  Take net to the seaside, lake, river or stream and wade or take a boat out to catch zooplankton samples. Empty stocking contents into large jar and cover.
- 5
  
  Netting zooplankton can be done from a boat.
  
  Label jar with time, date and location of catch. To identify, take eyedropper of water from jar and place on microscope slide to examine. Use zooplankton guide to name your catch.

Animals & Science