| Title | A Microplankton image observations for May 2018 on the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) |
|---|---|
| Authors |
Maduray, Seshnee Worship, Marco |
| Publisher | Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (2026) |
| Contributors |
Contact Person: Maduray, Seshnee |
| Abstract | Microplankton, comprising of both phyto- and zooplankton in the 20-200μm size range, are a diverse and ecologically significant group. They form the foundation of the food web, are instumental in carbon and nutrient cycling, generate at least 50% of global oxygen and facilitate the transfer of energy to higher trophic levels. Although microplankton occur throughout the world's oceans, their diversity and abundance varies spatially and temporally. Due to their high sensitivity and rapid response to changes in the environment, their biomass and diversity are considered Essential Ocean Variables (EOV's) for routine and sustained long term observations to assess global ocean changes. This dataset forms part of the routine monitoring along the west coast of South Africa under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela, which occurs biannually in February and August. This resource contains raw image data for May 2018 obtained from water samples processed using a FlowCam VS3 imaging system. The dataset comprises all captured images of phyto- and zooplankton as well as marine snow, detritus and other particulate matter present in the water column at the time of sampling. |
| Methods |
This resource contains the images of microplankton (phyto- and zooplankton in the 20-200μm size range) during the May 2018 Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruise aboard the RV Algoa (Voyage 248). Water samples were collected from Niskin bottles, preserved with formalin and stored at -20°C prior to analysis using a FlowCam© VS3 imaging system. Following thawing, samples were separated into two size fractions: 20-100μm, imaged using a 10x objective with a FV100μm flowcell and 100-200μm, imaged using a 4x objective with a FV300μm flowcell, in accordance with recommended FlowCam guidelines. Samples were processed in Autoimage mode, enabling the capture of all particles meeting the imaging parameters including plankton, detritus, marine snow and any other particulate matter. Manual focusing was applied throughout processing to optimise image clarity. The dataset contains all raw, unprocessed image files generated during sample analysis.
Quality Control: |
| Taxonomic information |
General Taxonomic Coverage:
Taxonomic Classification |
| Data | |
| Temporal extent | 21 May 2018 – 15 May 2018 |
| Geographic extent |
South-East Atlantic Ocean
North: -29.0 |
| Keywords | AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS , BIOSPHERE , Community abundance , completed , Embargoed , Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP: SB) , PHYTOPLANKTON , Phytoplankton biomass and diversity , PLANKTON , SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN , vector , WGS 84 , Zooplankton biomass and diversity |
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