Natural Resource Damage Assessment Plankton Processing

Plankton sampling in response to the DWH oil spill has generated more samples than can be processed at marine laboratories in the Gulf region and/or at the Plankton Sorting and Identification Center in Poland where NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC normally sends SEAMAP plankton samples for analysis. The laboratory of Dr. John Lamkin at the NOAA/NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami is prepared to assist in the analysis of DWH plankton samples which are critical not only to ongoing DWH oil spill impact assessments but also to advance understanding of plankton dynamics in the Gulf. Physical laboratory space is available in the Lab to accommodate up to five ichthyoplankton sorter/identifiers. Dr. Lamkins lab is routinely engaged in the SEAMAP Spring Plankton Surveys and has decades of experience in the collection and identification of the larvae of Gulf of Mexico fishes. Dr. Lamkins laboratory will bring on and train five new contract biologists to sort and assist with identification of fish larvae taken in Gulf samples within the specified DWH area of interest. Analysis of samples collected in 2010 within the DWHOS NRDA area of interest (i.e. approximately east of the Texas/LA border and 26 degrees and north) will be conducted at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center.

To determine impact of Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill on Gulf of Mexico ichthyoplankton

Project part of the NOAA NRDA process in preparation for Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill litigation

Location Of The Main Office Of The South East Fisheries Science Center

The data will be available from a public web server once an access methodology has been developed.

Waiver Needed

Larvae are identified using dichotomous keys and published literature, and colleagues in the field are consulted for confirmation and accuracy. After initial training period, QC procedures for zooplankton sorting involve re-examination of 10 of every 5th sample by a trained sorter. If more than 5 of larvae or eggs are found not to be sorted out of the zooplankton, the entire sample is resorted by original sorter until QC passes. After training period, QC procedures for ichthyoplankton identification require a random selection of 5 of the total number of ichthyoplankton per sub-tier. Samples were exchanged with trained taxonomists, making corrections as needed. For ZooScan imaging, every 5th sample was checked after initial training by a trained expert for approval. Finally, 100 of all data transcribed was cross-checked by a second individual and any corrections made.

N/A

The archival process is currently under development.

The data resides on a secure government network requiring multi-factor authentication for network access.