Zooplankton and Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
(pronounced in several different ways, including /ˈzoʊəˌplæŋktən, ˈzuːəˌ-, ˈzoʊoʊˌ-, ˈzuːˌ-, -ˌplæŋtən/[1] or /ˌzoʊəˈplæŋktən, -ˌtɒn/.[2]) are heterotrophic (sometimes detritivorous) plankton. Plankton are organisms drifting in oceans, seas, and bodies of fresh water. The word "zooplankton" is derived from the Greek zoon (ζῴον), meaning "animal", and planktos (πλαγκτός), meaning "wanderer" or "drifter".[3] Individual zooplankton are usually microscopic, but some (such as jellyfish) are larger and visible with the naked eye.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zooplankton
Phytoplankton
/ˌfaɪtoʊˈplæŋktən/ are the autotrophic (self-feeding) components of the plankton community and a key part of oceans, seas and freshwater basin ecosystems. The name comes from the Greek words φυτόν (phyton), meaning "plant", and πλαγκτός (planktos), meaning "wanderer" or "drifter".[1] Most phytoplankton are too small to be individually seen with the unaided eye. However, when present in high enough numbers, some varieties may be noticeable as colored patches on the water surface due to the presence of chlorophyll within their cells and accessory pigments (such as phycobiliproteins or xanthophylls) in some species.
Students
Derya Botsali
Zoe Darlington
Imani Davis
Natalie Dixon
Karl Fehn
Bailey Franks
Ava Gleason
Megan Janda
Hayley Kennedy
Caitlin Lamb
Julia Lovelace
Fiona McMahon
Hadley Mayse
Kanoe Montano
Jenna Rotunno
Waffles Soeleman
KeAnthony Thompson
Amelia Vaintrub
Allison Watts
Bridget Whited
Ryan Widmer
James Winkler
About
Life Aquatic: A Study of Zooplankton and Phytoplankton
Art 233 Sculpture Spring 2018
The Life Aquatic is an interdisciplinary study of Zooplankton and Phytoplankton in Biology and Art. These diminutive species of organisms live in our oceans and lakes and are an important part of the global ecosystem. Attention to the decline and in some cases the massive blossoming of some of these species has been important. The effect of global warming and ocean acidification has in some cases been catastrophic in areas of our planet. As an important part of the food chain Zooplankton and Phytoplankton play a major role in the health of biological ecosystems. Although we have many images of these species it is rare to see them live and in three dimensions. Students created these models from images found through research online and in our libraries. The models were first sculpted in plasticine and then digitally scanned and manipulated to create three dimensional prints of the diminutive plants and animals. Care was taken to create accurate specimens that mirror what these creatures might look like should we be able to observe them with the naked eye.
A research paper on each specimen was made by each student guided by information given Dr. Flavia Barbosa from our Biology Department.
The goals of this project were to give students the challenge of sculpting in plasticine and in digital software from two dimensional image references; as well as learning about our fragile ecosystems and the environmental impact of global warming.
Professors: Dr. Flavia Barbosa and David Sanchez Burr