Abstract:

This dataset reports plankton species abundance from sites off the Florida Panhandle Bight at the head of DeSoto Canyon. Plankton samples were collected from 13 offshore shelf sites December 12-14, 2012. This dataset reports the location, date, time, and length of tow for each sample. Plankton species were categorized as Ceratium spp., Dinophysis spp., other dinoflagellates, Chaetoceros/Bacteriastrum spp., Rhizosolenia/Guinardia spp, Eucampia/Hemiaulus spp., other chain-forming diatoms, Thalassionematales spp., Nitzschioid diatoms, other diatoms, Cyanobacteria (Trichodesmium spp.), and zooplankton. Abundances were recorded as individual counts as well as percentages of total sample.

Suggested Citation:

Nienow, James. 2014. Plankton relative abundance data for samples collected during the R/V Bellows cruise of DeSoto Canyon, December 2012 (BE-1311). Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7TQ5ZH9

Purpose:

To evaluate the biological diversity and trophic interactions among organisms ranging from primary producers to apex predators and from the deep-sea benthos to the coast. These data contribute to a food web model used to determine risks to ecosystem structure and function and regional economies following from extreme anthropogenic events (e.g., discharged and background hydrocarbon) and adaptive management strategies.

Data Parameters and Units:

Diatoms and dinoflagellates counted as cells, cyanobacteria as colonies/filaments, zooplankton as individuals. Stations coordinates and depth of vertical tows: Station P1: 30° 15’ N; 87° 15’ W – 17 meters Station P3: 30° 05’ N; 87° 15’ W – 32 meters Station P5: 29° 55’ N; 87° 15’ W - 50 meters Station P7: 29° 45’ N; 87° 15’ W - 100 meters Station C1: 30° 20’ N; 86° 40’ W - 16 meters Station C3: 30° 10’ N; 86° 40’ W - 25 meters Station C5: 30° 00’ N; 86° 40’ W – 95 meters Station C7: 29° 50’ N; 86° 40’ W – 100 meters Station C9: 29° 30’ N; 86° 40’ W - 100 meters Station A1: 30° 08’ N; 85° 46.5’ W – 16 meters Station A3: 29° 59.5’ N; 85° 52‘ W – 27 meters Station A5: 29° 51.25’ N; 85° 58’ W – 37 meters Station A7: 29° 42.75’ N; 86° 03.5’ W – 45 meters

Methods:

net - mesh size of 25 micrometer, diameter of 0.5 meters

Individual Files: