Language
Country/Area
No result found
Secrets of deep-sea exploration: How to collect those mini creatures hidden in the sediment?
In our marine and freshwater environments, there is a group of mysterious creatures called "microbenthos." These organisms, often called "microbes," live in sediments and are somewhere between microorganisms and macroorganisms in size. Although these organisms are relatively tiny, they play a key role in marine ecosystems, maintaining ecological balance and promoting material recycling.
What are microbenthic organisms?
Microbenthos are small benthic invertebrates that live in marine or freshwater environments. The term was first coined by marine biologist Molly Marley in 1942, although the study of microbenthos dates back to the 18th century. These organisms typically range in size from 1 mm to 45 microns and include species such as nematodes, copepods, rotifers, tardigrades and copepods.
In the marine environment, thousands of microbenthic organisms may be hidden in ten cubic centimeters of sediment, and they are of great significance to the ecosystem.
The habitat of microbenthic organisms
Microbenthic organisms are mainly found in sedimentary environments, whether in shallow waters or deep sea. They can also survive on hard surfaces as algae, periphyton and other benthic animals (such as barnacles and mussels). Their distribution range is quite wide, from nearshore areas to the very deep ocean bottom.
How to collect microbenthic organisms
The way in which microbenthic organisms are collected depends on their habitat and the type of sample required (quantitative or qualitative). For example, in shallow water, a small bucket and shovel can be used for sampling. In deep water areas, a sampler (such as a sample grabber) needs to be used for collection.
For quantitative sampling of sediments, a variety of specially designed samplers are available to meet different needs.
Methods for extracting microbenthic organisms
There are many methods for extracting microbenthic organisms from habitat samples, which depend on the state of the sample required (living or immobilized). The most common extraction methods include the use of osmotic shock, anesthetics, and the sea-ice technique.
Osmotic shock is a simple and effective way to encourage microbenthic organisms to release themselves and then filter them out through a filter.
Extraction technology of fixed samples
In large studies, samples are often fixed using a 10% formaldehyde solution, and the microbenthic organisms are often extracted at a later time. There are two main extraction methods: precipitation and flotation. The sedimentation method is best suited for coarse sediments. The flotation method is more suitable for fine sediments and works best when a suitable solution is selected (such as colloidal silica Ludox).
Future exploration
With the advancement of science and technology, the study of microbenthic organisms has become more and more in-depth. The existence of these tiny organisms not only enriches our understanding of ecosystems, but also provides important information for the sustainable use of marine resources. How will future research push us to further explore these mysterious microorganisms?
