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microsensors for elemental and pH analysis and DIM for physiological measurements of the
organisms.
Software: the analysis problem
The texts (Wang and Taylor, 1989; Taylor and Wang, 1989; Jovin and Arndt-Jovin, 1989;
Inoue, 1986; Castelman, 1979; Gonzalez and Wintz, 1987) given in the reference list are only
a small number of those available on image processing related to cytometry. Many
commercial microscopes and 2-D cameras can be purchased with accompanying analysis as
well as acquisition software. The utility of anyone of these systems for oceanographic
problems will relate directly to the goal of those studies. Some software packages are more
adaptable than others to user-specific modification or addition of specialized programs. One
such program which is widely disseminated in the image cytometry field is TCL-Image
(Multihouse, Amsterdam). An important consideration involving both hardware and software
for anyone entering the field of image cytometry is an adequate capability to deal with the
large data base which is generated by each experiment. Mass storage devices and networking
between acquisition and analysis systems are a must.
Another important consideration in the application of DIM to oceanography is the proper
statistical analysis of the generated data. Here oceanographers already have wide-ranging
experience and can be expected to contribute direction to the field.
In conclusion, I believe the application of DIM to oceanographic research is at the beginning
of an exponential growth phase. As an outsider to the discipline, I have tried to indicate what
I think are the obvious advantages of the technique for solving problems in a number of areas
but have clearly neglected a plethora of equally probable applications. I hope that this article
stimulates a number of readers in oceanography to apply DIM to their problems and look
forward to future conferences where I can profit from their successes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I thank my colleagues Thomas Jovin, Niels Ramsing and Michel Robert-Nicoud for stimulating discussions and
permission to use data collected by them in this laboratory.
microsensors for elemental and pH analysis and DIM for physiological measurements of the
organisms.
Software: the analysis problem
The texts (Wang and Taylor, 1989; Taylor and Wang, 1989; Jovin and Arndt-Jovin, 1989;
Inoue, 1986; Castelman, 1979; Gonzalez and Wintz, 1987) given in the reference list are only
a small number of those available on image processing related to cytometry. Many
commercial microscopes and 2-D cameras can be purchased with accompanying analysis as
well as acquisition software. The utility of anyone of these systems for oceanographic
problems will relate directly to the goal of those studies. Some software packages are more
adaptable than others to user-specific modification or addition of specialized programs. One
such program which is widely disseminated in the image cytometry field is TCL-Image
(Multihouse, Amsterdam). An important consideration involving both hardware and software
for anyone entering the field of image cytometry is an adequate capability to deal with the
large data base which is generated by each experiment. Mass storage devices and networking
between acquisition and analysis systems are a must.
Another important consideration in the application of DIM to oceanography is the proper
statistical analysis of the generated data. Here oceanographers already have wide-ranging
experience and can be expected to contribute direction to the field.
In conclusion, I believe the application of DIM to oceanographic research is at the beginning
of an exponential growth phase. As an outsider to the discipline, I have tried to indicate what
I think are the obvious advantages of the technique for solving problems in a number of areas
but have clearly neglected a plethora of equally probable applications. I hope that this article
stimulates a number of readers in oceanography to apply DIM to their problems and look
forward to future conferences where I can profit from their successes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I thank my colleagues Thomas Jovin, Niels Ramsing and Michel Robert-Nicoud for stimulating discussions and
permission to use data collected by them in this laboratory.