Founded in 1872 by visionary German Darwinist Anton Dohrn, the zoological station of Naples (Italy) was the first of its kind in the world; nowadays it is among the leading institutions globally for research in the fields of marine biology and ecology. Here, I followed researchers on a scientific campaign aimed to collect phytoplankton and microorganisms named copepods, which are sampled and analysed as indicators of the water quality in the gulf.
Portrait of the president of the foundation, Ferdinando Boero, alongside a watch glass containing copepods, which he defines the most important animals on Earth.
left: Boat driver Claudio taking the crew out for sampling activities in the gulf of Naples. right: researcher preparing for the sampling activities.
Portrait of crew member on the way back to the pier. Niskin bottles filled with water samples in the background.
left: technician collecting samples with a marine crane. right: tools used for sampling and the shadow of a researcher preparing to use a Niskin bottle to collect water samples
microscope in a laboratory inside the zoological station Anton Dohrn.
left: close up of an instrument used to quantify the sampled phytoplankton.
right: microscope view of phytoplankton - a key part of water ecosystems
right: microscope view of phytoplankton - a key part of water ecosystems