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

将开发一种用于荧光显微镜的图像分析系统，该系统结合了最先进的图像采集技术。 该项目将开发仪器和技术，用于对微生物食物网的微微浮游生物和纳米浮游生物成分进行详细的生物量测量。 虽然视频技术是最常见的图像采集方法，但它并不是特别适合在荧光显微镜的低光环境下进行精确的定量成像。 视频系统受到低灵敏度、非线性响应和窄动态范围的限制。然而，采用冷却固态电荷耦合器件 (CCD) 的数码相机现在具有出色的光子灵敏度、空间和灰度分辨率、响应线性度和量子效率特性。 这些成像设备克服了视频系统的主要问题，这些问题限制了它们在定量图像分析荧光显微镜中的用途。 作为全球海洋通量研究的一部分，开发将针对能够在船上使用的系统，以快速测量海上细菌和原生生物的尺寸光谱和生物量。

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.