Secchi

Take part in the World’s largest citizen science study of the Ocean's plankton

Secchi is the mobile interface to the Secchi Disk project enabling any seafarer to take part in a global study of the phytoplankton in our oceans. By using this app you will help us learn more about the phytoplankton at a time when their habit is altering due to climate change.

The phytoplankton in the sea, although they are invisible to the naked eye, are the ocean’s most important inhabitants since they begin the plankton food web that underpins the marine food chain. Today, there is evidence that the phytoplankton are being affected by climate change with ensuing ramifications for the life in the sea and the ecology of our planet.

Scientists need to know more about how the phytoplankton are changing both seasonally and from year to year, and this is where seafarers and the Secchi App can help out.

Along with the Secchi App, all you need do to take part is make a very simple piece of scientific equipment called a Secchi Disk and use it to record the Secchi Depth when you are at sea.

Full instructions on how to make and use a Secchi Disk and measure the Secchi Depth are included in the Secchi App and they can also be found at the website www.SecchiDisk.org.