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Brief description
This dataset comprises the zooplankton abundance and biomass measurements from samples collected at the Integrated Marine Observing Systems (IMOS) National Reference Stations (NRS) and other repeatedly sampled stations. For information on using the data from the NRS stations please refer to Eriksen et al. 2019. It is advised that anyone using this data should read this methodology or contact the project contact person to understand the nuances of each sampling and analysis chain.The data are made available in binned products for ease of use. As taxonomy changes over time and the ability of analysts improves with training more and more species can be identified over time. The products account for these changes and for real absences from the samples. A 0 abundance means that the species was looked for and not seen, null (empty cell) means that the species was not looked for in that sample. The products are therefore applicable for use in time series analysis.
There are a total of 7 products to choose from.
Zooplankton abundance products are available at 5 levels:
Raw product (includes all data)
Copepods product (all data where species have been identified, Copepods only)
Non-Copepods product (all data where species have been identified, non-Copepods only)
Genus product (includes all data binned to genus level)
Higher taxonomic group (includes all data binned to functional groups).
(each of these products includes the total biomass per samples)
Plus
Derived indices – NRS only (useful indices at sample level for NRS data)
Depth Binned CTD Data – NRS only (NRS CTD data binned to 1m and matched to TripCode)
Plankton abundances were originally provided on the AODN Portal only as raw data, in flat table form (with each species recorded in a separate row), without any adjustments for taxonomy changes or real absences.
The first version of the "analysis-ready" products were first published on 04/04/2019. However, they were removed again in November 2020 because technical issues prevented them from being regularly updated.
This dataset supersedes the following collections: "IMOS National Reference Station (NRS) - Zooplankton Biomass" - https://catalogue-imos.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/api/records/c13451a9-7cfc-091c-e044-00144f7bc0f4 and "IMOS National Reference Station (NRS) - Zooplankton Abundance" - https://catalogue-imos.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/api/records/c13451a9-7cfe-091c-e044-00144f7bc0f4. Both of these collections were removed from the AODN Portal in December 2021, and the data has been archived.
Lineage
Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeeded
Statement: Water samples are collected off small vessels at the IMOS National Reference Stations. The depth of the sample varies at each station. The sampling methods are fully described in the IMOS NRS Biogeochemical Operations Manual (Davies & Sommerville 2020). The analysis and quality control (QC) procedures (performed at CSIRO) are described in Eriksen et al. 2019. The SOTS data comes from the Southern Ocean Time Series project. The location is a fixed mooring with samples taken at various depths at regular intervals.
Data sampling is being conducted as part of a larger IMOS monitoring program. The zooplankton samples are analysed at the Plankton Ecology Lab at CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Queensland. The samples are concentrated down to 100 ml in a measuring cylinder. A subsample (1 ml, 2.5 ml or 5 ml) is taken from the 100 ml concentrate using a stempel pipette. The sub sample is analysed to the lowest taxa possible. For each sample 100 adult copepods and 500 total zooplanktons must be counted. If these conditions are not met by the first sub sample analysis, a second sub sample is analysed. This continues until the two conditions are met. These counts are then converted to taxa / m3 and the analysis data is exported to IMOS.
** All raw files and background information files can be accessed here - http://imos-data.s3-website-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/?prefix=IMOS/BGC_DB/harvested_from_CSIRO/ **
Data sampling is being conducted as part of a larger IMOS monitoring program. The zooplankton samples are analysed at the Plankton Ecology Lab at CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Queensland. The samples are concentrated down to 100 ml in a measuring cylinder. A subsample (1 ml, 2.5 ml or 5 ml) is taken from the 100 ml concentrate using a stempel pipette. The sub sample is analysed to the lowest taxa possible. For each sample 100 adult copepods and 500 total zooplanktons must be counted. If these conditions are not met by the first sub sample analysis, a second sub sample is analysed. This continues until the two conditions are met. These counts are then converted to taxa / m3 and the analysis data is exported to IMOS.
** All raw files and background information files can be accessed here - http://imos-data.s3-website-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/?prefix=IMOS/BGC_DB/harvested_from_CSIRO/ **
Statement: For NRS stations only - Derived Indices
Biomass
This index includes the total mass of living organisms in sea water collected with a 100-micron mesh net. Thus, values provided by this parameter comprise the organic carbon from the plankton.
Abundance
Abundance is measured here as total number of elements (or individuals) for a specific taxon in sea water. This derived product is provided for phytoplankton (total number of cells), zooplankton and copepods (total number of animals).
Mean total length of copepods
This index provides the mean total length of copepod in the sample.
Mean volume of cells
This index provides the mean volume of a phytoplankton cell in the sample, calculated from the individual cell size, cell morphology and cell abundance.
Total phytoplankton carbon
Total mass of phytoplankton as carbon is calculated using standard conversion factors of biovolume to carbon for each cell, then summed (Montagnes-Berges 1994, Menden-Deuer & Lessard 2000, Verity & Langdon 1984, Vogt et al 2012, Caron et al 1995).
No of species in sample
Provided for copepods, phytoplankton, diatoms, dinoflagellates as an indicator of richness.
Shannon diversity
The Shannon diversity index is a statistical metric used to quantify rarity and commonness of species in a population. Indeed, Shannon diversity accounts for both species richness (the number of species present) and species abundance (the number of individuals per species) in the analysed population. This index is provided for copepods, phytoplankton, diatoms and dinoflagellates.
Shannon evenness
Shannon evenness provides a measure of biodiversity in the population analysed. The Shannon evenness index is derived from the Shannon diversity index, dividing Shannon diversity by its maximum. Thus, Shannon evenness can vary between 0 and 1, where 1 represents a complete evenness of the species in the analysed population. In this product the Shannon evenness index is provided for copepods, phytoplankton, diatoms and dinoflagellates.
Mixed layer depth (MLD)
Mixed layer depth (MLD) is derived from the Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) measurements, provided in the Depth binned CTD product. MLD is calculated and provided here in two different forms, from temperature and from salinity, following Condie and Dunn, 2006 methodology.
Deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM)
The deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) represents the region below the sea water surface where the maximum concentration of chlorophyll occurs. For this specific product the DCM is provided as the depth (m) in which the maximum fluorescence value was recorded by the fluorometer installed on the CTD.
Sea surface components: temperature (CDTSST), chlorophyll-a (CDTChla) and salinity (CDTSalinity)
These indices are the mean values of the top ten metres of the water column and represent surface conditions measured at the time the sample was collected.
Chemistry: SiO4, PO4, NH4, NO3, NO2, O2, DIC and alkalinity
These are water column average values calculated from all the samples taken across multiple depths.
Chlorophyll-a (Chla),
The mean value of chlorophyll-a plus divinyl chlorophyll-a from the pigments data as an indication of chlorophyll-a availability for phytoplankton.
Biomass
This index includes the total mass of living organisms in sea water collected with a 100-micron mesh net. Thus, values provided by this parameter comprise the organic carbon from the plankton.
Abundance
Abundance is measured here as total number of elements (or individuals) for a specific taxon in sea water. This derived product is provided for phytoplankton (total number of cells), zooplankton and copepods (total number of animals).
Mean total length of copepods
This index provides the mean total length of copepod in the sample.
Mean volume of cells
This index provides the mean volume of a phytoplankton cell in the sample, calculated from the individual cell size, cell morphology and cell abundance.
Total phytoplankton carbon
Total mass of phytoplankton as carbon is calculated using standard conversion factors of biovolume to carbon for each cell, then summed (Montagnes-Berges 1994, Menden-Deuer & Lessard 2000, Verity & Langdon 1984, Vogt et al 2012, Caron et al 1995).
No of species in sample
Provided for copepods, phytoplankton, diatoms, dinoflagellates as an indicator of richness.
Shannon diversity
The Shannon diversity index is a statistical metric used to quantify rarity and commonness of species in a population. Indeed, Shannon diversity accounts for both species richness (the number of species present) and species abundance (the number of individuals per species) in the analysed population. This index is provided for copepods, phytoplankton, diatoms and dinoflagellates.
Shannon evenness
Shannon evenness provides a measure of biodiversity in the population analysed. The Shannon evenness index is derived from the Shannon diversity index, dividing Shannon diversity by its maximum. Thus, Shannon evenness can vary between 0 and 1, where 1 represents a complete evenness of the species in the analysed population. In this product the Shannon evenness index is provided for copepods, phytoplankton, diatoms and dinoflagellates.
Mixed layer depth (MLD)
Mixed layer depth (MLD) is derived from the Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) measurements, provided in the Depth binned CTD product. MLD is calculated and provided here in two different forms, from temperature and from salinity, following Condie and Dunn, 2006 methodology.
Deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM)
The deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) represents the region below the sea water surface where the maximum concentration of chlorophyll occurs. For this specific product the DCM is provided as the depth (m) in which the maximum fluorescence value was recorded by the fluorometer installed on the CTD.
Sea surface components: temperature (CDTSST), chlorophyll-a (CDTChla) and salinity (CDTSalinity)
These indices are the mean values of the top ten metres of the water column and represent surface conditions measured at the time the sample was collected.
Chemistry: SiO4, PO4, NH4, NO3, NO2, O2, DIC and alkalinity
These are water column average values calculated from all the samples taken across multiple depths.
Chlorophyll-a (Chla),
The mean value of chlorophyll-a plus divinyl chlorophyll-a from the pigments data as an indication of chlorophyll-a availability for phytoplankton.
Statement: ATTRIBUTE STATEMENT: Project - Name of the project the sample was collected for StationName - Name of the station where sample was collected StationCode - IMOS site code for station Latitude - Nominal latitude (North) of the station where sample was collected (Decimal degrees, WSG84 datum) Longitude - Nominal longitude (East) of the station where sample was collected (Decimal degrees, WSG84 datum) TripCode - Unique code for the sampling trip SampleTime_UTC - UTC date and time of sample collection SampleTime_local - Local date and time of sample collection Year_local - Year of sample collection Month_local - Month of sample collection Day_local - Day of month of sample collection (local time) Time_local24hr - Local 24hr time of sample collection SampleDepth_m - Depth of sample collection, or “integrated”, or “water column” CTDSST_degC - Temperature of the water column at 10m depth, from matching CTD cast CTDChlaSurf_mgm3 - Artificial chlorophyll concentration at 10m depth, computed from bio-optical sensor on matching CTD cast CTDSalinity_psu - Derived salinity of the water column at 10m depth, from matching CTD cast [taxonomic level name] (e.g., “Noctiluca scintillans”) - Taxonomic level abundance (plankton) or count (fish) Biomass_mgm3 - Zooplankton dry weight AshFreeBiomass_mgm3 - Organic matter after furnacing
Notes
CreditAustralia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It is operated by a consortium of institutions as an unincorporated joint venture, with the University of Tasmania as Lead Agent.
Credit
Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA), Victorian Government
Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA), Victorian Government
Created: 10 09 2021
Data time period: 19 02 2002 to 11 05 2023
text: uplimit=104; downlimit=5
Subjects
Alkalinity |
ANIMALS/INVERTEBRATES |
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS |
ARTHROPODS |
Abundance of biota |
BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION |
BIOSPHERE |
Biotic taxonomic identification |
Coastal Habitat |
Copepods |
CRUSTACEANS |
CTD |
Coastal Cities / Towns (Australia) | Darwin, NT |
Coastal Cities / Towns (Australia) | Esperance, WA |
Concentration of inferred chlorophyll from relative fluorescence per unit volume of the water body |
Countries | Australia |
Dry weight biomass per unit volume of the water body |
EARTH SCIENCE |
Fluorescence |
Free-fall plankton net - Heron (1982) |
Global / Oceans | Indian Ocean |
Global / Oceans | Pacific Ocean |
Inorganic Carbon |
Marine Features (Australia) | Great Australian Bight, SA/WA |
Marine Features (Australia) | Great Barrier Reef, QLD |
Marine Features (Australia) | Kangaroo Island, SA |
Marine Features (Australia) | Maria Island, TAS |
Marine Features (Australia) | Ningaloo Marine Park, WA |
Marine Features (Australia) | North Stradbroke Island, QLD |
Marine Features (Australia) | Port Hacking, NSW |
Marine Features (Australia) | Rottnest Island, WA |
National Reference Stations Sub-Facility, Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) |
OCEAN CHEMISTRY |
OCEAN OPTICS |
OCEAN TEMPERATURE |
OCEANS |
Oceans | Marine Biology | Marine Microbiota |
Pelagic Habitat |
PLANKTON |
Practical salinity of the water body |
Regional Seas | Coral Sea |
Regional Seas | Tasman Sea |
Regional Seas | Timor Sea |
Salinity |
SALINITY/DENSITY |
Secchi Depth |
States, Territories (Australia) | New South Wales |
States, Territories (Australia) | Northern Territory |
States, Territories (Australia) | Queensland |
States, Territories (Australia) | South Australia |
States, Territories (Australia) | Tasmania |
States, Territories (Australia) | Western Australia |
Turbidity |
Temperature of the water body |
Water Temperature |
Zooplankton |
biota |
oceans |
small boat |
User Contributed Tags
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Other Information
National Reference Station (NRS) Sub-Facility metadata record (ANMN National Reference Station (NRS) Sub-Facility metadata record)
National Reference Stations - Home Page (National Reference Stations)
uri :
https://imos.org.au/facilities/nationalmooringnetwork/nrs
(IMOS NRS BGC Manual - Latest Version)
uri :
http://content.aodn.org.au/Documents/IMOS/Facilities/national_mooring/IMOS_NRS_BGCManual_LATEST.pdf
(Link to Eriksen et al. 2019 paper)
doi :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00161
(OGC WFS help documentation)
uri :
https://help.aodn.org.au/web-services/ogc-wfs/
(Plankton products Product Specification document)
uri :
http://content.aodn.org.au/Documents/AODN/Water_Sampling_Database/Plankton_product_specification.pdf
(Derived indices NRS Product Specification document)
(Depth binned CTD Product Specification document)
Identifiers
- global : bc14672f-c007-408e-972b-684d8415dae8
