Directions+for+Plankton

__Tools/Materials:__ - 2 sample bottles - plankton net

__Directions:__ To collect top plankton, drag the plankton net along the surface of the water. For bottom plankton, submerse and drag the net under the water to collect a sample. Put both samples in seperate containers. Once at school; put top and bottom plankton in seperate petri dishes so they will be ready to take samples from for the microscopes.

__Significance:__ Phytoplankton are the basis for all life on earth. They are responsible for providing 90% of Earth's oxygen through photosynthesis. When the diversity of plankton is low, this means that the water quality probablly isn't as good as it could be because there are not a lot of plankton providing nutrients or oxygen for the water. Without oxygen, it is harder for other species to contribute to this ecosystem.

__Typical Results:__ Cladocera ( water flies) Chilodonells Fragilaria

Cladocera