IMOS Picoplankton Flow Cytometry Data from Nine Australian Coastal Stations

Picoplankton data analyzed by flow cytometry from monthly samples collected at nine Australian coastal reference stations. Sampling began between September 2008 and November 2010 and is ongoing for seven sites, with two sites ceasing in 2013. The data is part of the Integrated Marine Observing Systems (IMOS) National Mooring Network and is interoperable with other national and international programs.

Use Cases

• Analyze long-term trends in picoplankton populations based on monthly sampling at fixed stations.
• Compare coastal marine ecosystems based on data from nine geographically distinct Australian sites.
• Study seasonal and interannual variability in marine biogeochemistry based on the ongoing time-series.
• Integrate flow cytometry data with other oceanographic parameters for holistic ecosystem modeling.

Strengths

• Data from nine distinct coastal stations across Australia, providing geographic breadth.
• Monthly sampling regime (except two sites sampled quarterly) creates a detailed time-series.
• Ongoing data collection for seven sites since 2008-2010, offering long-term continuity.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Two sites (Ningaloo and Esperance) ceased sampling in 2013, limiting their temporal coverage.

Provenance

Source

Integrated Marine Observing Systems (IMOS) National Mooring Network - National Reference Station (NRS) field sampling.

Collection Method

Monthly (or quarterly) sampling off small vessels, with samples analyzed by flow cytometry.

Time Range

2008-2010 to present (ongoing for 7 sites).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-05 02:51:52.134766; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Nine Australian coastal stations: Maria Island (TAS), Kangaroo Island (SA), Esperance (WA), Rottnest Island (WA), Ningaloo (WA), Darwin (NT), Yongala (QLD), North Stradbroke Island (QLD), Port Hacking 100 (NSW).