SGER: In Situ Ichthyoplankton Imaging System - ISIIS

海洋学家传统上使用浮游生物网来量化浮游动物的种群特征。在过去十年中，使用现场(即在自然条件下)录像的新方法表明，新的和负担得起的技术将使生物学家能够迅速评估浮游动物的垂直和水平分布和丰度。这些技术反过来将加快样本收集和分析之间的过程，因为传统方法需要长时间的人工分类浮游生物样本和鉴定浮游生物物种。具体地说，数字成像系统将允许科学家在计算机上进行数字记录，计算机可以通过图像识别软件实时处理数据。此外，现场成像将能够进行非常高分辨率的采样，从而绘制浮游动物的水平和垂直分布图，并提供对其自然行为的现场实现。网络通常提供由于网络造成的伤害而难以辨认的死亡或垂死的个体。然而，到目前为止，成像系统在采样水样的体积方面一直受到限制，从而限制了对桡足类等高度丰富的小型浮游动物进行量化的效用，但不包括浮游鱼类。随着数字成像和数据存储技术的最新进步，可以组装出非常高分辨率的成像系统，用于小型拖曳、起伏的车辆。结合特殊的照明技术，可以以非常高的分辨率对大量的水进行成像。PIS建议的系统由一个非常高分辨率的单色行扫描数码相机(8000像素@18,600次每秒扫描)组成，面对一个激光照明设备，该设备可以为经过仪器视场前面的任何生物体生成阴影图像。采集的图像被传输到车载计算机，该计算机实时处理图像以选择感兴趣区域(ROI)，然后存储到高通量磁盘阵列上。整个装置可以安装在一个小的拖曳平台上，当水柱被拖到船后时，可以进行起伏运动(即悠悠球)，以进行详细的垂直剖面分析。这一系统将对浮游鱼群的研究产生重大影响。除了减少与样品处理劳动力相关的成本外，该仪器还将使我们对影响中浮游动物分布的过程的了解取得重大进展，并提供对它们的自然行为和与环境相互作用的洞察。增加的空间和垂直分辨率将几乎与其他环境采样手段(如CTD、荧光法、ADCP)相匹配。在额叶高活动区使用该系统可以以前所未有的清晰度解决有关额叶动力学的假说。将加强对幼鱼的食物分布和营养影响的检查。利用这个系统可以追踪特定产卵事件中的卵和幼虫。最后，在需要生物样本的地方，这种摄像系统可以很容易地连接到网架上，以同时获取数字样本和样本样本。

Oceanographers traditionally use plankton nets to quantify zooplankton population characteristics. In the last decade new approaches using in situ (i.e. under natural conditions) video have demonstrated that new and affordable technology would allow biologists to quickly assess zooplankton vertical and horizontal distributions and abundance. These techniques would, in turn, speed up the process between sample collection and analysis, as traditional methods require long hours of manual sorting of plankton samples and identification of plankton species. Specifically, a digital imaging system would allow scientists to record digitally onto a computer, which could process the data in real-time via image-recognition software. Moreover, in situ imaging would enable very high resolution sampling, and, therefore, mapping of the horizontal and vertical distribution of zooplankters as well as provide in situ realizations of their natural behaviors. Nets generally provide dead or dying individuals that are often hard to recognize due to net-inflicted damage. To date, however, imaging systems have been limited in the volume of water being sampled, thereby limiting the utility to quantifying highly abundant, small zooplankton like copepods, but not ichthyoplankton. With the recent advances in digital imaging and data storage technologies, a very high-resolution imaging system can be assembled for use on small towed, undulating vehicles. Combined with special lighting techniques, large volumes of water can be imaged at very high resolution. The system proposed by the PIs is composed of a very high resolution monochrome line scan digital camera (8000 pixels @ 18,600 scans per second) facing a laser-illumination device which creates a shadow image of any organism passing in front of the field of view of the instrument. The images gathered are transferred to an onboard computer which processes the images in real-time to select Regions of Interest (ROI) then stored onto a high throughput disc array. The whole unit can be mounted onto a small towed platform enabling an undulating motion (i.e. yoyo) for detailed vertical profiling of the water column as it is towed behind the ship. This system will have major impact on ichthyoplankton studies. Besides reducing costs associated with the labor of sample processing, this instrument would enable major advances in our knowledge of the processes influencing the distribution of mesoplankton, as well as provide insight to their natural behavior and interactions with their environment. Increased spatial and vertical resolution would nearly match that available with other means of environmental sampling (e.g. CTD, Fluorometry, ADCP). Utilizing this system in areas of high frontal activity could resolve hypotheses concerning frontal dynamics with unprecedented clarity. Examination of food distribution and trophic impacts of larval fish will be enhanced. Tracking eggs and larvae from specific spawning events would be possible with this system. Finally, where biological specimens are required, this camera system could easily be attached to the net frame to take concurrent digital and specimen samples.