The following page lists all of the equipment required to be part of the GOES project to measure plankton and microplastics at sea, around our coasts, in rivers, in tap water and in deep oceanic water. The total cost, including the free GOES plankton filter, is approximately 130 euros; this is much the same cost as a more conventional student plankton net
There is no charge for the equipment for yachts that are actively collecting water samples and providing GOES with the data. However, you are free to make a donation to help us deliver as many filters as possible, especially to schools and for rural community projects
Main components
| GOES project filter | The cost of the filter is 35 Euro, we free issue (need to add delivery cost) to yachts for the first 100. | We will free issue this filter from yacht Copepod, or send to you at cost price for postage |
| Microscope | Link to Amazon storepc software downloadmac software download | 90 Euro |
| Filter papers | Link to Amazon storeCamlab 1173270, Grade 111 [4] qualitative filter paper, fast filtering, 40mm to 50mm diameter. The paper is the same as Whatman grade 4 | 10 Euro for 100 filter papers |
| Tweezers | Link to Amazon store | 8 Euro |
| Petri plate | not essential but usefulLink to Amazon store 90mm glass platesLink to Amazon store 90mm plastic plates | 8 Euro10 Euro for 20 plates (reusable many times) |
MICROSCOPE
A simple 5mp USB type microscope or similar is fine for this application, they may be purchased on-line from Amazon at the following link; price approx 90 Euro
In addition to doing the GOES citizen science work, you will have great fun using the equipment to look at the plankton and identify all the different groups.
You never know, you may actually find a new species, because very little is actually known about deep ocean plankton
The plankton and micro-plastic filter
The filter is made by GOES drawings are also provided to allow you to make your own.
The GOES project plankton filter
The filter is a 50mm diameter tube with a 50mm plastic threaded union with O ring seal.
There are 2 x plastic plates with 5 x 5mm holes. The plates are made from clear acrylic plastic. The ones in the photo are in PVC plastic so that can be seen more easily on the photo.
The 50mm diameter white filter paper is placed between the two plastic plates, and the assembly is then placed on the bottom section of the GOES filter.
2 x 60mm discs with 5 x 5mm holes, filter paper between discs
Filter paper between discs on lower part of GOES filter
Place the top pipe section of the filter onto the bottom section with the two plates and connect the upper and lower sections using the threaded ring. Making sure that the plates do not turn. The holes on the plates need to stay in alignment. Use 2 x pieces of insulating tape to help stop the plates rotating.
Place the upper section of filter on the lower sections to secure the 2 x 60mm discs and screw up, making sure the plates don’t rotate.
The following is a drawing of the filter, if you wish to make your own filter, you may construct according to this design.
Unfortunately it is made from plastic, but it should last for many years. It is made from 50mm pvc plastic pipe, with a PVC union fitting. There is a 60mm diameter x 5mm thick disc in the union, with a 25mm hole. The filter paper sits on top of the disc.
The pipe is solvent glued into the union.
The filter is really easy to make if you have access to professional pipe fittings, but you may also be able to make one with fittings from a good plumbing store.
50mm diameter 0.45 um filter papers
use a 90mm petri plate
FILTER PAPER
Camlab 1173270, Grade 111 [4] qualitative filter paper, fast filtering, 50mm diameter. This is the same as WhatMan grade 4 about 20-30um filter paper. We have found this one to be the best.
TWEEZERS
Any good quality, stainless steel tweezers will be okay
PETRI PLATE
Use a 90-mm-diameter Petri plate; it also allows you to cover the sample and keep it. Please note that if you wish to keep the sample, it will need to be dried. Wet plankton samples rapidly deteriorate and have a really bad smell. The petri plate is made from glass and is reusable. The plastic ones can also be reused many times and might be safer on a boat.
