Panamanian scientists have identified 76 species of phytoplankton and 39 species of zooplankton, some of which had never been recorded in the Panama Canal, thus opening new avenues for detecting environmental changes in its waters, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), based in the Central American country, reported this Monday.
«The project became the subject of two bachelor's theses (...) it contributed to the identification of 76 species of phytoplankton and 39 species of zooplankton, some of which had not been previously recorded in the canal's waters,» the Smithsonian said in a public statement.
«This project developed local capacity in environmental monitoring and molecular ecology, as the students measured the diversity and abundance of plankton at multiple sites along the Canal,» commented Rachel Collin, a STRI scientist who led the project along with laboratory head Tania Romero, STRI scientist and head of the molecular laboratory Kristin Saltonstall, and professors from the University of Panama Humberto Garcés and José de Gracia.
«Plankton responds quickly to changes in water quality, temperature, and nutrient levels, making it a valuable tool for monitoring ecosystem health,» the Smithsonian assured.
«It is essential to be able to identify and quantify plankton, as these microscopic organisms are sensitive indicators of environmental changes. Differences in the number and types of plankton directly influence the food chain, benefiting fish populations and other forms of aquatic life. Therefore, by accurately tracking these microorganism communities, the team will facilitate the detection of the first signs of environmental change and contribute to the sustainable management of freshwater resources, such as the Panama Canal,» the institute added.
The scientific body specified that the research's objective was to begin to understand the spatial and seasonal distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton, which the majority of other organisms depend on for food.
The findings were made through the project called «Seasonal patterns in the plankton community and physicochemical parameters along the Panama Canal,» developed by seven young Panamanian scientists.
The study was led by STRI and the University of Panama (UP) and was funded by Panama's National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENACYT).
