IMOS Picoplankton Flow Cytometry Data from Nine Australian Coastal Stations

Picoplankton data analyzed by flow cytometry from monthly water samples collected at nine Australian coastal stations. Sampling began between 2008 and 2010 and is ongoing at seven sites, with two sites ceasing in 2013. The dataset is part of the Integrated Marine Observing Systems (IMOS) National Reference Station network.

Use Cases

• Analyze picoplankton community composition and abundance over time based on monthly sampling.
• Study biogeochemical cycles in coastal waters based on data from nine long-term monitoring stations.
• Model phytoplankton dynamics and their environmental drivers based on time-series data from multiple sites.
• Compare marine ecosystem health across different Australian coastal regions based on standardized sampling.

Strengths

• Data collection spans over a decade, starting between 2008 and 2010.
• Samples were collected from nine distinct coastal stations around Australia.
• Sampling follows a standardized protocol detailed in an operations manual.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the nine specific Australian coastal sites.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network via the Integrated Marine Observing Systems (IMOS).

Collection Method

Monthly water sampling from small vessels, with picoplankton analyzed by flow cytometry.

Time Range

2008 to present (ongoing at 7 sites, ceased 2013 at 2 sites).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-23 01:37:55.163736; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Nine coastal stations around Australia: Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales.