Automated continuous zooplankton culture system

摘要

A system and method for determining the concentration of zooplankton in a continuous zooplankton culture system. The system may include a transmissiometer, a sample tube, a first sample containing water and microalgae, and a second sample containing water, microalgae, and zooplankton. The concentration of zooplankton in the system may be calculated by comparing the transmissiometer output from the first sample and the second sample, wherein each of the outputs are obtained by moving each sample into the sample tube such that the transmissionmeter is positioned to take a reading across the tube.

主权项

1. A system for monitoring zooplankton concentration, comprising:
a culture reactor including culture water; a light source; a photodetector; at least one pump; a first sample of culture water taken from the culture reactor, the first sample of culture water including water and an unknown concentration of microalgae; a second sample of culture water taken from the culture reactor, the second sample of culture water including water and an unknown concentration of microalgae and zooplankton; a sample tube; a digital storage device; and a microprocessor in communication with the digital storage device, wherein the light source and the photodetector are positioned such that the photodetector detects the light emitted from the light source through the sample tube; wherein the at least one pump moves the first sample and the second sample into and out of the sample tube; wherein the photodetector outputs a first signal while the first sample is in the sample tube, and a second signal while the second sample is in the sample tube; wherein the digital storage device captures and stores a value for each of the first and second signals; and wherein the microprocessor calculates a concentration of zooplankton in the second sample by calculating a difference between the first signal and the second signal.