Development of a Shipboard Digital (CCD) Image Acquisition System for Characterizing Pico- and Nanoplankton Populationsby Fluorescence Microscopy

荧光显微镜图像分析系统将 开发了一种结合了最先进的图像采集技术的 技术. 该项目将导致开发 生物量详细测量的仪器和技术 微生物食物网中的皮科和微型浮游生物。 而视频技术是最常用的图像处理方法， 采集，它不是特别适合准确， 荧光弱光环境定量成像 显微镜 视频系统受到低灵敏度、非 线性响应和窄的动态范围。数码相机 结合冷却的固态电荷耦合器件（CCD）， 然而，现在可获得具有以下优异特性的 光子灵敏度，空间和灰度分辨率，响应 线性和量子效率。 这些成像设备克服了 限制视频系统实用性的主要问题 用于定量图像分析荧光显微镜。 我们将致力于开发一种能够运输- 板使用，以允许快速的大小谱和生物量测量 海洋中的细菌和原生生物是全球海洋通量的一部分 Study.

An image analysis system for fluorescence microscopy will be developed which incorporates state-of-the-art image acquisition technology. The project will result in the development of instruments and techniques for detailed biomass measurements of the pico- and nanoplankton components of the microbial food web. While video technology is the most common method of image acquisition, it is not particularly well suited for accurate, quantitative imaging in the low light environment of fluorescence microscopy. Video systems are limited by low sensitivity, non- linear response, and a narrow dynamic range. Digital cameras incorporating cooled, solid-state charged-coupled devices (CCDs), however, are now available with excellent characteristics of photon sensitivity, spatial and gray scale reolution, response linearity and quantum efficiency. These imaging devices overcome the major problems of video systems which limit their usefulness for quantitative image analyzed fluorescence microscopy. Development will be directed toward a system capable of ship- board use to allow rapid size spectra and biomass measurements of the bacteria and protists at sea as part of the Global Ocean Flux Study.