Fishery-Independent Monitoring of Coral Reef Fishes, Coral Reefs, and Macro-invertebrates in the Dry Tortugas

Liquid purification apparatuses and methods; an open filtration, treatment and siphon apparatus and process; a porous mass formation apparatus and process; and a liquid-solid separation apparatus and a process using a siphon member. In one embodiment, a liquid or liquid containing mass, gel, or mud having solids is contained in or introduced into an upper vessel. The liquid and particles of undissolved solids are drawn away from the upper vessel by siphonage. Particles of solids may either settle to the bottom of the upper vessel, remain in the liquid or mass, or float to the top of the surface in the upper vessel. Particles of undissolved solids may be deposited in a siphon member of porous media as the liquid and particles of undissolved solids flow through the porous media. In one embodiment an open siphon may be used having multiple layers of material of differing pore size; of alternating pore size; of successively smaller pore size from the center outwardly or vice versa; or different materials in different locations; or of successively larger pore size from the center outwardly or vice-versa. In another embodiment a bowl-shaped member formed of porous material may be emplaced in liquid to be filtered and transmitted and liquid flowing through and into the bowl-shaped member may be pumped out or siphoned off using a siphon member of porous media.