Definition of neuston in English:
neuston
noun ˈnjuːstɒnˈn(y)o͞ostän
mass nounBiology Small aquatic organisms inhabiting the surface layer or moving on the surface film.
Example sentencesExamples
- Catch efficiency of the neuston net was 4.2 times higher than the surface ring net for larvae.
- On the OREGON II, neuston nets are deployed off the starboard side of the forward deck with the forward crane which rests in a cradle during the tow.
- The neuston net is towed at the water's surface to sample plankton.
- Repeated sampling was more extensive with bongo / Tucker gear than with neuston gear.
- To obtain such quantitative data it is necessary to measure the quantity of water that has been scanned by the mouth opening of the neuston net into which the marine life has been gathered.
Derivatives
adjective
Biology The impact of floating seaweeds on the neustonic environment was quantified by the calculation of the added values of seaweed samples considering biomass and density.
Example sentencesExamples
- As a rule, there were no significant differences in antibiotic resistance between neustonic and planktonic bacteria.
- This study compares the abundance and mass of neustonic debris with the amount of zooplankton in this area.
- S. mucronata is the only cladoceran to exhibit neustonic feeding by hanging upside down.
- However, the neustonic layer of the open ocean places its own constraints on the form and function of organisms that live there.
Origin
Early 20th century: via German from Greek, neuter of neustos 'swimming', on the pattern of plankton.