Plankton Abundance from DeSoto Canyon Cruise with SEM Micrographs

Plankton species abundance data was collected from 13 sites in the Gulf of Mexico's DeSoto Canyon during the R/V Bellows cruise BE-1311 from December 12-14, 2012. The dataset includes net tow samples categorized into broad taxonomic groups and detailed quantitative phytoplankton profiles from four sites, analyzed using a JEOL JSM-6480 LV scanning electron microscope. It was produced by NOAA NCEI and includes both count data and associated micrographs.

Use Cases

• Analyzing spatial distribution of plankton groups like Ceratium spp. or Dinophysis spp. across 13 sampling sites using location, date, and tow length columns.
• Studying phytoplankton community structure with depth using columns for taxon abundance (cells per liter), volume filtered, and sampling depth from the four profile sites (P1, P3, P5, P7).
• Validating microscopic identification of diatoms, coccolithophores, and armored dinoflagellates by referencing the included SEM micrographs.
• Calculating relative abundance percentages for taxonomic groups like chain-forming diatoms or Cyanobacteria using the provided count and percentage data.

Strengths

• Includes high-resolution taxonomic data from scanning electron microscope analysis, with up to 700 fields-of-view examined per sample.
• Provides both integrated net tow data from 13 sites and detailed water column profiles from 4 specific sites, offering complementary spatial and depth perspectives.
• Contains associated micrograph images, allowing for visual verification and detailed morphological study.

Limitations

• Key metadata such as row count, specific column names, dataset size, and license information are unknown across all platforms.
• There is a conflict in the 'last updated' date between sources: one reports 2012-12-14, while another reports 2026-03-05, casting doubt on data maintenance.

Provenance

Source

NOAA_NCEI

Collection Method

Plankton collected via 25-micrometer mesh net tows and Niskin bottle casts; samples filtered, dried, and analyzed with a JEOL JSM-6480 LV scanning electron microscope.

Time Range

2012-12-12 to 2012-12-14

Freshness

2026-03-05 23:35:15.664289

Geography

13 sites off the Florida Panhandle Bight at the head of DeSoto Canyon, Gulf of Mexico