Size group (pico, nano, micro) and group total carbon estimates from cell counts via epifluorescent microscopy (EPI) of heterotrophic and autotrophic plankton from CCE LTER process cruises in the California Current region, 2006 - ongoing

Microbial community assemblages of the California Current Ecosystem (CCE) are assessed for biomass of heterotrophic (dinoflagellate and other eukaryotes) and autotrophic (dinoflagellate and other eukaryotes) plankton using high-throughput digital epifluorescence microscopy (EPI). Samples to estimate the nano- and microplankton (0.2-2.0-µm and 2.0-20-µm size, respectively) are collected at various depths, preserved, stained, and filtered onto a membrane filter and mounted on a glass microscope slide aboard the process cruises (since 2006, ongoing). Slides are then frozen at -80°C for subsequent imaging and analysis in the laboratory onshore. Carbon biomass is computed from cell biovolumes.