Properties of gauzes in relation to loss of organisms through plankton nets

Abstract

Nylon monofilament gauze is superior to nylon multifilament gauze and silk gauze with respect to strength, elongation under load, aging, and swelling in water. Nylon monofilament gauze expanded an estimated 0-3.5 %, allowing incompressible beads through the mesh aperture under simulated towing conditions. The mesh aperture in nylon multifilament and silk gauze expanded an estimated 5-10 %. More than half of the previous estimate of expansion for silk (17.5 %) can be explained by variability in the mesh aperture. The greatest retention of organisms above the mean mesh size could be obtained by using gauzes which have the least mesh variability. Nylon monofilament is not inferior to silk, and has nearly ideal characteristics for plankton nets.