Plankton Surveys
Dynamic Ocean Consulting offers professional plankton survey services to help you meet permitting, monitoring and ecological-assessment needs. We deploy towed plankton nets to collect microscopic and small aquatic organisms (phytoplankton and zooplankton) that provide critical insight into aquatic ecosystem health, habitat conditions, and early-warning signals of change. Our approach aligns with recognized Canadian monitoring frameworks and supports regulatory submissions, baseline studies, and project impact assessments.
Why Plankton Matter
Plankton form the foundation of aquatic food webs and respond quickly to changes in water quality, temperature, nutrient levels and habitat conditions. Because of this:
Plankton counts and assemblage composition can indicate ecosystem health, productivity and suitability for fish and invertebrates.
Monitoring plankton helps detect early shifts due to project activities (e.g., dredging, discharges, habitat alteration) or natural change.
Data from plankton surveys support regulatory or research requirements and feed into national monitoring programs, such as those run by DFO.
Using towed nets enables collection of volumetric samples across fixed depths or entire water columns, allowing comparative analysis and trend detection.
Our Survey Approach
We employ towed plankton net systems, calibrated deployment protocols and rigorous chain-of-custody sampling methods to deliver reliable data.
Equipment & Methods
Plankton Towed Net – We deploy a fine-mesh net (typical mesh size varies by objective) from a vessel, running either horizontal, oblique or vertical tows through the water column. The net filters water to capture plankton, which are collected in a cod-end and preserved for laboratory or field analysis.
Sampling Depth & Volume Control – We define tow depths, duration and vessel speed to ensure standardized volumes of filtered water and consistent sample comparability.
Laboratory Analysis – Samples are processed in certified laboratories: plankton are identified, counted, and sometimes measured for size/condition. Results are compared to regional or national datasets to place your site in context.
QA/QC & Reporting – Our sampling follows strict protocols for sample preservation, labeling, chain-of-custody and data reporting. We provide clear interpretive summaries, tables and charts to support environmental assessments or monitoring-program deliverables.
Applications & When We Use It
Baseline ecological surveys before mitigation, construction or dredging.
Monitoring during operations (construction, discharges) and post-project recovery.
Ecosystem-status assessment for permitting, habitat impact studies or marine-licence applications.
Research collaborations, such as plankton monitoring for long-term trend detection (e.g., DFO’s plankton programs).
Deliverables
Sample location logs and filtered-volume metadata
Laboratory analytical results (counts, taxonomy, size classes)
Summary tables, interpretive graphs and contextual benchmarking
Site-specific reporting formatted for inclusion in permit applications or environmental monitoring plans
Optional: time-series analysis, spatial mapping of plankton concentrations, ecological commentary
Why Choose Dynamic Ocean Consulting
Experienced teams comfortable in coastal, inland and marine environments across Canada
Proven interface with regulators and academia—ensuring your plankton data meet both scientific and regulatory expectations
End-to-end service: field sampling, lab coordination, data interpretation, reporting
Commitment to high standards of safety (vessel, equipment, field crew) and data quality
Contact
Ready to discuss your plankton survey needs? Whether you are planning baseline sampling, monitoring during operations or long-term ecological studies, contact us to explore a customised survey solution and receive a proposal. Contact Us.