Microzooplankton abundance and carbon biomass signature timeseries for the NGA LTER site, from Seward Line Cruises 2011-2018 and NGA-LTER research cruises in the Gulf of Alaska, 2018-present

This dataset consists of microzooplankton abundance and carbon biomass measurements obtained during Seward Line Cruises from Spring and Fall in 2011 to 2018 and NGA-LTER research cruises conducted in the Gulf of Alaska during spring, summer and fall, starting in 2018 through the present. Included in this dataset are the carbon biomass (µg/L) and abundance (cells/L) measurements of the total microzooplankton community and from the Ciliate and Dinoflagellate portions of the total community for each sample at various water depths. The data were collected to determine whether microzooplankton abundance and composition varies with time (season) and location. Acid Lugol’s fixed samples were evaluated microscopically to categorize and measure individual cells. Excel spreadsheets were converted to CSV files for preservation. These data are part of the Northern Gulf of Alaska Long Term Ecological Research (NGA LTER) program. The LTER program is a National Science Foundation–funded network of 28 sites nationwide that focus on the influence of long-term and large-scale phenomenon on ecosystems. Additional funding for sampling is provided by the North Pacific Research Board (NPRB), the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS), and the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council (EVOS) via the Gulf Watch Alaska program.