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。这些技术将反过来加快样本收集和分析之间的过程，因为传统的方法需要长时间的人工分类浮游生物样本和识别浮游生物种类。具体来说，数字成像系统将允许科学家将数字记录到计算机上，计算机可以通过图像识别软件实时处理数据。此外，原位成像将使非常高分辨率的采样成为可能，因此，绘制浮游动物的水平和垂直分布，并提供对其自然行为的原位实现。蚊帐通常提供死亡或垂死的人，由于蚊帐造成的损害，这些人往往难以辨认。然而，到目前为止，成像系统在被采样的水量方面受到限制，从而限制了对丰富的小型浮游动物（如桡足类动物）的量化，而不是对浮游鱼类的量化。随着数字成像和数据存储技术的最新进展，一个非常高分辨率的成像系统可以组装在小型拖曳起伏车辆上使用。结合特殊的照明技术，大量的水可以以非常高的分辨率成像。pi提出的系统由一个非常高分辨率的单色线扫描数码相机（8000像素@每秒18,600次扫描）组成，面对一个激光照明装置，该装置可以在仪器视野前创建任何生物体的阴影图像。采集到的图像被传输到机载计算机上，该计算机实时处理图像以选择感兴趣的区域（ROI），然后存储在高通量磁盘阵列上。整个装置可以安装在一个小的拖曳平台上，当它被拖在船后面时，可以实现波动运动（即溜溜球），以便对水柱进行详细的垂直剖面分析。这一系统将对浮游鱼的研究产生重大影响。除了降低与样品处理劳动相关的成本外，该仪器将使我们对影响中浮游生物分布的过程的知识取得重大进展，并提供对其自然行为及其与环境相互作用的见解。提高的空间和垂直分辨率将几乎与其他环境采样手段（例如CTD、荧光法、ADCP）相匹配。在额叶活跃度高的区域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设。将加强对鱼类幼虫的食物分布和营养影响的研究。通过这个系统可以跟踪特定产卵事件中的卵和幼虫。最后，在需要生物标本的地方，该摄像机系统可以很容易地连接到网框上，同时拍摄数字和标本样本。

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.