The FlowCAM can thus use a wide flow chamber, allowing high sample throughput without compromising cell image quality. The FlowCAM is portable enough to be installed at monitoring sites with AC power and a weatherproof enclosure. It can be set up in such an area for an extended time. Since plankton distributions can be very patchy and the cells can have high growth and mortality rates, weekly spot sampling may misrepresent the presence or absence of target species. The FlowCAM automatically counts cells per liter of water, useful for determining the severity of blooms of organisms and how much the water toxicity may be affected.
Counts provided by uncalibrated net tows are only relative to other species.
The FlowCAM s accurate automatic counting capability, focussed imaging power, and multipurpose computer program eliminate the need for sample preparation or preservation and lessens user fatigue. Opening a window to detailed and meaningful analysis of a wide variety of previously rarely studied phenomena, the FlowCAM offers many exciting possibilities for oceanographic research.