Abstract:

Depth-discrete plankton samples were collected during CONCORDE cruise PTS01 (October 28th-November 5th, 2015) using a Bedford Institute of Oceanography Net Environmental Sampling System (BIONESS). The BIONESS (0.25 m2 opening) was fitted with six 333-µm mesh nets and three 202-µm mesh nets. Profile data (depth, temperature, salinity) were obtained with a SBE-19+ CTD (Sea-Bird Electronics) integrated with the BIONESS data logger. Samples were collected generally between the 15 and 40 m depth contours between the Chandeleur Islands and the Alabama/Florida border to assess the horizontal and vertical distribution of plankton under low freshwater discharge conditions characteristic of the Fall. Plankton data (e.g., displacement volumes, ichthyoplankton and zooplankton abundances) for BIONESS tows are provided in a separate dataset R4.x260.000:0007 (doi:10.7266/N7XP730K)

Suggested Citation:

Frank J. Hernandez. 2017. BIONESS profile and plankton sample collection data, cruise PTS01, northern Gulf of Mexico, October – November 2015. Distributed by: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC), Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7S46Q0W

Purpose:

The intent of this dataset is to identify the station, field, and environmental conditions that were encountered during each BIONESS tow on the Fall field campaign of CONCORDE (October-November). The station and field information were recorded at the start and end of the station by field personnel on the vessel whereas the environmental data (temperature and salinity) were collected with a CTD (SBE-19+) mounted to the BIONESS system.

Data Parameters and Units:

Station Data: Tow Number - Unique number assigned to each BIONESS tow Cruise - Unique name assigned to each research cruise Date (UTC) - UTC date of sample collection Station - Station, general location, or corridar name assigned at sea Depth (m) - Depth recorded on station based on vessel instrumentation Wind Speed* - Wind speed recorded by research personnel while on station Wind Direction* - Wind direction recorded by research personnel while on station Sea State* - Sea state recorded by research personnel while on station Weather State* - Weather state recorded by research personnel while on station Start Time (UTC) - Time (UTC) recorded by research personnel at the start of the BIONESS tow Start Latitude - Latitude (decimal degrees) recorded by research personnel at the start of the BIONESS tow Start Longitude - Longitude (decimal degrees) recorded by research personnel at the start of the BIONESS tow End Time (UTC) - Time (UTC) recorded by research personnel at the end of the BIONESS tow End Latitude - Latitude (decimal degrees) recorded by research personnel at the end of the BIONESS tow End Longitude - Longitude (decimal degrees) recorded by research personnel at the end of the BIONESS tow * Wind Speed, Wind Direction, Sea State and Weather State observations were coded based on the NOAA National Oceanographic Data Center Codes; these codes are provided in each excel spreadsheet for reference. Net Data: Tow Number - Unique number assigned to each BIONESS tow Cruise - Unique name assigned to each research cruise Station - Station, general location, or corridar name assigned at sea Sample ID - Unique name assigned to each BIONESS sample with the following format: CruiseName-DDMMMYYYY-Station-TowNumber-NetNumber Net Number - Unique net number (1-9) that identifies the net that was opened to collect the sample Net Mesh - Plankton net mesh size; 202-μm or 333-μm Date - Date of sample collection Net Opening Time - Time (UTC) when the net opened and began collecting plankton Net Opening Depth (m) - Depth in the water column (m) where the net opened and began collecting plankton Net Opening Temp (°C) - Temperature in the water column (°C) when the net opened and began collecting plankton Net Opening Salinity (psu) - Salinity in the water column (psu) when the net opened and began collecting plankton Net Closing Time - Time (UTC) when the net closed and stopped collecting plankton Net Closing Depth (m) - Depth in the water column (m) where the net closed and began collecting plankton Net Closing Temp (°C) - Temperature in the water column (°C) when the net closed and stopped collecting plankton Net Closing Salinity (psu) - Salinity in the water column (psu) when the net closed and stopped collecting plankton Total Swept Volume (m3) - Total volume (m3) of water filtered while the net was open Total Time Open (hh:mm:ss) - Total time that the net was open Profile Data: Tow Number - Unique number assigned to each BIONESS tow Net Number - Unique net number (1-9) that identifies the net that was opened to collect the sample Salinity (psu) - Salinity (psu) recorded during the BIONESS tow at 1 Hz Temperature (°C) - Temperature (°C) during the BIONESS tow at 1 Hz Depth (m) - Depth (m) recorded during the BIONESS tow at 1 Hz

Publications:

Dzwonkowski, B., Greer, A. T., Briseño-Avena, C., Krause, J. W., Soto, I. M., Hernandez, F. J., … Graham, W. M. (2017). Estuarine influence on biogeochemical properties of the Alabama shelf during the fall season. Continental Shelf Research, 140, 96–109. doi:10.1016/j.csr.2017.05.001

Individual Files: