Abstract:

This dataset contains stable isotope data from zooplankton samples collected on board the R/V F.G. Walton Smith during Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Plankton Survey Walton Smith 4 (WS4) in the northern Gulf of Mexico from 2011-04-20 to 2011-05-27. This survey (WS4, chief scientist: Malinda Sutor) was part of a series of NRDA cruises conducted in 2010 and 2011 to evaluate the distribution and densities of ichthyoplankton and other zooplankton in Gulf of Mexico waters potentially affected by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (DWHOS) and in surrounding areas. The dataset includes data for zooplankton aliquots (field sample id, wet weight, dry weight, stable carbon and nitrogen values). Samples were analyzed for stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) using a Thermo Delta V stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer coupled to a Costech 4010 elemental analyzer by a Thermo Confo IV continuous flow interface. Isotopic values were calculated relative to conventional standards for each element of interest and expressed in standard delta (δ) notation. Corresponding cruise data for the zooplankton specimens in this dataset can be found in the following GRIIDC Unique Dataset Identifiers (UDIs): R6.x815.000:0006 (doi: 10.7266/n7-9vcj-nf90; MOCNESS instrument data), R6.x815.000:0010 (doi: 10.7266/n7-dp76-tz89; Ichthyoplankton data), R6.x815.000:0012 (doi: 10.7266/n7-fhn0-k550; Larval fish diet and stable isotope data), R6.x815.000:0021 (doi: 10.7266/n7-9kwb-eh85; Zooplankton abundance data), and R6.x815.000:0022 (doi: 10.7266/n7-q8s5-b255; Zooplankton imagery data).

Suggested Citation:

Wang, Verena, Carley Zapfe, Kevin Dillion, and Frank Hernandez. 2021. Zooplankton stable isotope data collected during NRDA Plankton Survey Walton Smith 4 (WS4) in the northern Gulf of Mexico from 2011-04-20 to 2011-05-27 on board the R/V F.G. Walton Smith Cruise WS1107. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/WTSDCS65

Purpose:

This data was collected as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) of the MC252 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill that occurred in 2010.

Data Parameters and Units:

Archive [Number assigned to each sample in the Deepwater Horizon Plankton Assessment Archive (typically one archive number per Field Sample ID)]; Field.Sample.ID [Unique identifier for each depth discrete net sample within the MOCNESS tow, assigned during the NRDA effort]; DeploymentID [Unique identifier for each MOCNESS tow]; StationID [Station name. B# stations are part of the SEAMAP sampling grid]; Sample.Date [Date of field sample collection]; StartLat [Station latitude (coordinates at start of net tow)]; StartLon [Station longitude (coordinates at start of net tow)]; DayNightSample [Time of day associated with the sample. Day (D) is 1 hour after sunrise to 1 hour before sunset. Night (N) is 1 hr post-sunset to 1 hr pre sunrise]; UpperDepth [Minimum depth sampled by each depth-discrete net (m)]; LowerDepth [Maximum depth sampled by each depth-discrete net (m)]; 13C [Stable carbon isotopic ratio (δ13C)]; 15N [Stable nitrogen isotopic ratio (δ15N)]; C:N [Carbon/nitrogen ratio].

Methods:

Field samples were transferred from 10% formalin to DI water, homogenized, and 400-500 mg zooplankton (wet weight) was subsampled with a 10 ml stempel pipette and 125 µm sieve. The remaining field sample was returned to formalin for archival storage. To leach formalin preservative, zooplankton was soaked in DI water for 48 hours, with a water change after 24 hours. Samples were dried at 60 °C for 48 hours, ground to powder and 0.3-0.7 mg were packed in 5 x 9 mm Costech tin capsules for analysis on the mass spectrometer. Bulk tissue stable isotope analysis was conducted at the University of Southern Mississippi Marine Ecosystems Research Laboratory. Samples were analyzed for stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) using a Thermo Delta V stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer coupled to a Costech 4010 elemental analyzer by a Thermo Confo IV continuous flow interface. Isotopic values were calculated relative to conventional standards for each element of interest and expressed in standard delta (δ) notation.

Instruments:

1-m^2 Multiple Opening/Closing Net Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) outfitted with nine (9) 0.333mm nets; microbalance; Thermo Delta V stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer; Costech 4010 elemental analyzer by a Thermo Confo IV continuous flow interface.

Provenance and Historical References:

Data provided in this dataset are generated from the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Plankton Processing Plan. Stations sampled are on the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) Gulf of Mexico grid.

Individual Files: