The phytoplankton net is made of very fine mesh, and is used to collect algae and other phytoplankton from the water column. We use a 64 micron mesh net for phytoplankton. The net is lowered slowly to the desire depth, and then is pulled up more quickly, concentrating phytoplankton in the attached sample jar as it rises towards the surface. Because algae cannot "escape", the phytoplankton net can be retrieved more slowly then the zooplankton net, allowing use of very fine mesh nets.Pictured above is Russell Cuhel retrieving the phytoplankton net after it has been pulled out of the water. The net is sprayed from the outside with lake water to loosen any particles stuck to the inside of the net, and the jar is then detached and the contents brought back to the lab for analysis. Pictured at bottom above is research technician Sharon Zsebe examining a freshly collected jar of phytoplankton.