Zooplankton samples from UK UWMN lake sites are collected using two separate methods.
Sediment Trap Samples
From 2000 onwards one trap sample from the lake sediment trap arrays has been reserved for future zooplankton analysis. The samples contain an annual record of sedimenting zooplankton remains and are preserved on-site with 100% ethanol. They are archived at ENSIS/ECRC pending the availability of funding to perform analysis.
Haul Samples
Since 1997 zooplankton haul samples have been collected from lake sites in late summer by ENSIS/ECRC. A 25cm diameter net with a mesh size of 100 microns is lowered over the side of an inflatable boat close to the deepest point of the lake. Two vertical haul samples of the entire water column are collected and the samples decanted into a sample bottle. Samples are preserved with 100% ethanol and archived at ENSIS/ECRC pending the availability of funding to perform analysis.