A National Ocean Service/National Center for Coastal Ocean Science Program
Phytoplankton Monitoring Network
Promoting a better understanding of harmful algal blooms by way of volunteer monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Become a Volunteer?
Anyone can become a PMN volunteer, either as an individual or as a group. PMN loans the following equipment to volunteers for as long as they remain a member of the network: (Volunteers must have their own microscopes.)
- plankton net
- sample bottles
- salt refractometer
- thermometer
- Lugol's solution
PMN volunteers have a few responsibilities when participating in this program. These include:
- Attend annual PMN training sessions
- Choose and regularly monitor a convenient sampling site
- Sample their site weekly or bi-weekly
- Perform preliminary identification of common species
- Preserve samples with any species in high abundance
- Submit data via online data entry (fax or email)
Interested in becoming a PMN volunteer? Please contact Jeff Paternoster at 843-762-8657.
Didn't Find an Answer to Your Question?
If your question wasn't answered here, please contact Allison Sill at (843)762-8656.
