Exploring Phytoplankton Diversity: A Microscopic Adventure with PlanktoScope
The Degree Project Catalogue is a catalogue of suggestions on Degree Projects for Bachelor's and Master's levels at the Department of Marine 91̽»¨s. Here you will find projects within Marine Biology, Marine Chemistry, Marine Geology, Oceanography, and also Interdisciplinary projects.
Subject: Marine Biology
Level: Bachelor 15-30 HP
Supervisor: Olga Kourtchenko
Project Background
The Marine Microbial Ecology (MMEco) research group study the microbes of the sea.How do they interact with other microbial organisms? Which roles and functions do microbes have in the ocean? We are now looking for enthusiastic students to join our group! You can find some examples of our current projects on our MMEco website.
Project Description
This project will not only teach you about phytoplankton identification, but also introduce you to cutting-edge, affordable technology for scientific research and the importance of citizen science in marine biology.
You will set up the PlanktoScope, a low-cost, open-source, portable microscope designed for imaging plankton. You will then collect marine water samples and use the PlanktoScope to take images of the plankton in the samples.
We will also use the instrument to compare the image catalogue with the GUMACC algae bank to create a database to accurately annotate field samples from the Skagerrak and Kattegatt.
Finally, you will learn important skills in phytoplankton culturing and taxonomic identification.
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Please contact Olga Kourtchenko directly.
Email: olga.kourtchenko@gu.se
