293
Given the role of cell and particle properties in this respect, it is obvious that individual cell
and particle analysis could contribute to some of the most pressing issues in oceanography.
In this context, the most useful analyses would concern the measurement of phytoplankton
biomass per size class, the recognition of major taxonomic groups, and the estimation of
production per size class and/or taxonomic group. In flow cytometry/image analysis,
techniques for biomass and taxonomy are already available or under active development, but
they are still largely lacking for production (e.g. Table 1 in Legendre and Yentsch, 1989).
Within the context of the present scheme, the absence of direct measurement of particle size
by most flow cytometers is certainly a major drawback. Concerning flow cytometry/image
analysis, we therefore recommend the development of techniques for the analyses mentioned
above, and their use within the framework of such interdisciplinary programs as JGOFS (Joint
Global Ocean Flux Study) or GLOBEC. In addition, oceanographers using flow cytometry
should stress to manufacturers the importance of direct measurements of particle size.
Concerning the development of models for the management of exploited stocks and the
prediction of the global flux of carbon into the oceans, these could probably be significantly
imprOVed if they incorporated relevant characteristics of biogenic particle dynamics and of
marine ecosystems. As discussed above, many of these characteristics could be derived from
flow-cytometry and image analysis.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank Drs. T. Berman, P. Falkowski, L. Fortier, J. Gagne, P.M. Holligan and G. Rosenberg for comments
or suggestions, and Ms. L. Roberge for assistance with bibliographic research. Financial support from
Cooperation France-Quebec and Universite Laval made possible a sabbatical leave for J.L.F. in Quebec City,
and grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to L.L. were instrumental
in the completion of this work.
REFERENCES
Alldredge A (1984) The quantitative significance of gelatinous zooplankton as pelagic
consumers. In: Fasham MJR (ed) Flows of energy and materials in marine ecosystems.
Plenum, New York, 407-433
Atkins WRG (1945) Autotrophic flagellates as the major constituent of oceanic plankton.
Nature 156:446-447
Azam FT, Fenchel T, Field JG, Meyer-Reil LA, Thingstad F (1983) The ecological role of
water-column microbes in the sea. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 10:257-263
Given the role of cell and particle properties in this respect, it is obvious that individual cell
and particle analysis could contribute to some of the most pressing issues in oceanography.
In this context, the most useful analyses would concern the measurement of phytoplankton
biomass per size class, the recognition of major taxonomic groups, and the estimation of
production per size class and/or taxonomic group. In flow cytometry/image analysis,
techniques for biomass and taxonomy are already available or under active development, but
they are still largely lacking for production (e.g. Table 1 in Legendre and Yentsch, 1989).
Within the context of the present scheme, the absence of direct measurement of particle size
by most flow cytometers is certainly a major drawback. Concerning flow cytometry/image
analysis, we therefore recommend the development of techniques for the analyses mentioned
above, and their use within the framework of such interdisciplinary programs as JGOFS (Joint
Global Ocean Flux Study) or GLOBEC. In addition, oceanographers using flow cytometry
should stress to manufacturers the importance of direct measurements of particle size.
Concerning the development of models for the management of exploited stocks and the
prediction of the global flux of carbon into the oceans, these could probably be significantly
imprOVed if they incorporated relevant characteristics of biogenic particle dynamics and of
marine ecosystems. As discussed above, many of these characteristics could be derived from
flow-cytometry and image analysis.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank Drs. T. Berman, P. Falkowski, L. Fortier, J. Gagne, P.M. Holligan and G. Rosenberg for comments
or suggestions, and Ms. L. Roberge for assistance with bibliographic research. Financial support from
Cooperation France-Quebec and Universite Laval made possible a sabbatical leave for J.L.F. in Quebec City,
and grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to L.L. were instrumental
in the completion of this work.
REFERENCES
Alldredge A (1984) The quantitative significance of gelatinous zooplankton as pelagic
consumers. In: Fasham MJR (ed) Flows of energy and materials in marine ecosystems.
Plenum, New York, 407-433
Atkins WRG (1945) Autotrophic flagellates as the major constituent of oceanic plankton.
Nature 156:446-447
Azam FT, Fenchel T, Field JG, Meyer-Reil LA, Thingstad F (1983) The ecological role of
water-column microbes in the sea. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 10:257-263