FlowCam for Phytoplankton & Zooplankton Research and Analysis

Abundance, composition, and size are three dimensions of the plankton world that can tell us much about how communities change over time.

Visual techniques are valuable because they enable direct, empirical observation of individual organisms. Imaging enables visual observations to be digitized, creating a digital version of the sample that can be reused to investigate new questions.

Flow imaging microscopy (FIM) enables automated, scalable image acquisition, increasing throughput so that researchers can maximize the spatial and/or temporal resolution of their sampling while simultaneously producing 40+ direct measurements per particle.

By combining microscopy, imaging, and flow cytometry, researchers can monitor changes in plankton communities and track their impacts on aquatic ecosystems. 

First, FlowCam’s built-in software, VisualSpreadsheet, automatically handles image acquisition, particle segmentation, and measurement, so you can start working with your image data immediately after running a sample.  

Next, VisualSpreadsheet’s 40+ particle properties can help you start to differentiate organisms in a variety of ways, including measures of size (e.g., diameter, biovolume), shape (e.g., length, width, and aspect ratio), and color. Plot features against one another using VisualSpreadsheet’s graphing tool to help visualize populations within a sample in new ways, and immediately call up the images associated with each population.

Finally, utilize VisualSpreadsheet’s image recognition and/or export features to classify your sample. VisualSpreadsheet’s statistical pattern-matching algorithm can be used to help classify similar-looking organisms. Images can be exported with associated particle measurements and metadata for classification using EcoTaxa or other methods.

FlowCam offers a variety of models and configurations to target different particle size ranges, making it a flexible choice for groups with diverse research interests.

FlowCam 8000 instruments and FlowCam Cyano both can characterize microorganisms ranging in size from about 2 µm to 1 mm using a suite of four objectives and flow cell combinations. FlowCam Macro can target organisms up to 5 mm.

Sample processing speed varies by instrument configuration. For example, using the 10X or 4X configurations on the FlowCam 8000 series (the most popular for phytoplankton research), users can process 1 mL of sample in 5 minutes or 30 seconds, respectively. Likewise, FlowCam Macro (the most widely used for zooplankton research) can run several hundred milliliters per minute.

Yes. FlowCam is a robust, seaworthy tool for marine scientists studying phytoplankton and zooplankton, and has been deployed at sea many times. Resources like the FlowCam 8000 Best Practices Guide can help you prepare to mobilize FlowCam for plankton research at sea.

FlowCam’s high-speed imaging and flexibility lend themselves to a wide variety of research topics, such as:

• Harmful algal blooms: Quantitatively track harmful algal blooms to help characterize the environmental factors that influence bloom initiation and decline.
  Example: Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
• Long-term monitoring: Consistently observing plankton in a standardized way to track changes in phytoplankton phenology and size in a changing climate.
  Example: LifeWatch Belgium, Flanders Marine Institute
• Ecological surveys and modeling: Using automated particle measurements to estimate zooplankton biomass and improve ecological models.
  Example: National Oceanography Centre
• Biogeochemistry and climate research: Using particle measurements to estimate the contribution of different plankton groups and other particles to carbon export and quantify the impact of changing environmental conditions on plankton communities.
  Example: University of Oldenburg

FlowCam offers a variety of training and support opportunities for new users to take advantage of:

• Initial installation & training features a one- or two-day session with a FlowCam expert, typically conducted onsite in your lab with your own instrument. New users will learn the basics of data acquisition and analysis, and will start collecting data on day 1.
• FlowCam University offers online video tutorials to help users refresh their skills, especially for new students joining the lab. Once a year, we also host a small group of users at our facility in southern Maine for an in-person version of FlowCam University.
• Technical support is available year-round by phone and email through FlowCam’s Customer Service team. Follow-up training is also available online or in person.
• Service plans include preventive maintenance, optional on-site support, extended access to online training, and other benefits to help keep your instrument and your team running smoothly.  

FlowCam’s wide size range, speed, and robust image quality reduce barriers to accessing plankton analysis. Undergraduate students can quickly and easily collect statistically significant datasets and replicate procedures across diverse plankton samples and among users. FlowCam delivers reliable, cost-effective insights — both in the lab and offsite — empowering new opportunities for student-driven plankton research.