Abstract:

Results from a laboratory experiment on the fragmentation potential of marine snow (MS) and marine oil snow (MOS) formed in roller tanks filled with Skeltonema grethae and Macondo oil [1mL per L] to form MOS, and filtered seawater to form MS. Single aggregates were placed into a tank with an oscillating grid that generates turbulence; fragmentation behavior of aggregates was observed and noted in lab book (aggregates fragmented yes (y) or no (n)). Aggregates were sized using a digital microscope (at 75x magnification); the aggregate area was measured using ImageJ software. After aggregates were removed, the tank water was subsampled and fixed with formalin (2% v/v) and stored at 4 degrees for later analysis of particle concentrations using a Coulter counter (CC). Individual samples were run 3 times on the CC (i.e., analytical replicates: A, B, C). Particle concentration was measured between 4 size ranges: 5-10 um, 10-20 um, 20-50 um, 50-100 um.

Suggested Citation:

Ziervogel, Kai. 2020. Exopolymeric substances (EPS) mechanisms in aggregation & dispersion of oil: Fragmentation of Skeletonema grethae-775 snow – Disaggregation dynamics. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/n7-qzqh-bq48

Purpose:

This dataset is part of two laboratory experiments to determine physical fragmentation of MOS and MS under laboratory conditions.

Data Parameters and Units:

Oscillating frequency (Hz), Date Collected (MM/DD/YYYY), Sample Name, Area (Aggregate area - micrometer squared, µm^2), Fragmented (y/n), Particle Counts per mL (5-10um, 10-20um, 20-50um, 50-100um), Sample Vol (mL), Formalin Vol (mL), C.C. Sample No (Coulter counter sample number). Please note that all the abbreviations are defined in the readme worksheet.

Methods:

Fragmentation of MOS and MS was observed. Particle sizes (aggregate area) was measured using a digital microscope (75x), and pictures were processed in ImageJ. Suspended particles in the tank were analyzed using a Z1 Coulter counter fitted with a 100 um aperture.

Individual Files: