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）视频的新方法表明，新的和负担得起的技术将使生物学家能够快速评估浮游动物的垂直和水平分布和丰度。这些技术反过来又会加快样本收集和分析之间的进程，因为传统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物种。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，原位成像将实现非常高分辨率的采样，并因此绘制动物园动物的水平和垂直分布图，以及提供它们的自然行为的原位实现。网通常提供死亡或垂死的个体，由于网造成的损害，这些个体通常难以识别。然而，到目前为止，成像系统已被限制在被采样的水的体积，从而限制了效用，以量化高度丰富的，小型浮游动物，如桡足类，但不是鱼类浮游生物。随着数字成像和数据存储技术的最新进展，可以组装一个非常高分辨率的成像系统，用于小型拖曳式起伏车辆。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。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，该相机面向激光照明设备，该设备可以创建通过仪器视场前方的任何生物体的阴影图像。收集的图像被传输到机载计算机，该计算机实时处理图像以选择感兴趣区域（ROI），然后存储到高吞吐量磁盘阵列上。整个装置可以安装在一个小的拖曳平台上，当它被拖在船后时，可以进行波浪式运动（即yoyo），以获得水柱的详细垂直剖面。该系统将对鱼类浮游生物研究产生重大影响。 除了降低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型浮游生物分布的过程的了解取得重大进展，并提供对其自然行为及其与环境相互作用的见解。空间和垂直分辨率的提高将几乎与其他环境采样手段（例如CTD、荧光测定法、ADCP）相匹配。利用这个系统在高锋活动的地区可以解决有关锋动力学与前所未有的清晰度的假设。将加强对仔鱼的食物分布和营养影响的检查。利用这一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，该相机系统可以很容易地连接到网框上，以同时采集数字和标本样本。

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.