Scientists monitor and track plankton for many reasons. Some scientists use information from satellites to track algae growth in bodies of water, and some scientists monitor zooplankton to measure the "healthiness" of bodies of water. Monitoring can help to track other Bay or sea creatures who might go where the plankton are (remember the food chains and webs?). Other scientists are monitoring unusual plankton activity, because some plankton are toxic (harmful or poisonous) to Bay and sea life. In the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries there are 32 monitoring stations. The photo above shows scientists gathering zooplankton samples.

Ms. Bridgett, the Teacher Aboard Pride II, is using a plankton tow instrument and a Viewcam to send back video of plankton that she encounters as she travels aboard the Pride. Her "Plankton Live" videos will be used by Dr. Sherwood Hall at the Seafood Laboratory of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help him in his work of tracking down potential seafood related illnesses.

Check out these two Web sites that show computerized pictures of aircraft and satellite information on plankton in the Bay and in the oceans.

When you go to this site go to the Living Ocean site, read the information for the following sections:

• Life in the Oceans
• The Ocean isn't just Blue
• Phytoplankton
• Carbon

Now go to a second Web site to see images taken from aircraft that show chlorophyll in the Bay. Go to 2-3 of the "Surface Chlorophyll" pictures.

• Phytoplankton Blooms in the Chesapeake Bay

Finally go to this Web site to see a global scene:

• Color Scanner Image Gallery

You don't have to be a scientist to do your own plankton research! Go to the following Web site for instructions about making your very own plankton gathering instrument. Why not print out the directions to take home with you? Perhaps you could construct your own plankton gathering net. Maybe your teacher, or another adult, would go with you to actually gather some plankton samples. REMEMBER to practice proper water safety procedures: Never go to any body of water alone - take a responsible adult with you.

• Make a plankton net

If you are able to gather plankton samples it will be helpful to have a magnifier or microscope handy. Ask your teacher for help with this. Can you identify any of the critters that you find? Try to make some sketches of your critters to add to your sketch collection.