IN-SITU PARTICLE (FLOC) SIZE MEASUREMENTS WITH THE BENTHOS-373 PLANKTON SILHOUETTE CAMERA

The Benthos 373 plankton silhouette camera was one of the first instru ments used to study the in situ particle size spectra of flocculated m aterial. Based on a concept originally developed by H. Edgerton for th e study of live zooplankton samples, the relatively non-invasive natur e of the camera has made it well suited for the study of flocculated s uspensions in the coastal zone. Results from studies using the camera showed clearly the dynamic nature of particle flocculation in both fre sh and salt water environments. Originally limited by the time require d to carry out image analysis of the photographs obtained, recent adva nces in the digitization of photo negatives and image analysis softwar e have increased the usefulness of this camera for studies of particul ate material in the coastal zone.