NODC Standard Format Benthic Organisms (F132) Data (1957-1989) (NCEI Accession 0014198)

This data type contains data from field sampling or surveys of bottom dwelling marine organisms. The data provide information on species abundance, distribution and biomass; they may have been collected by point sampling (grab or core), by tow (dredge, trawl or net), by photographic surveys, or by other methods. Cruise information such as vessel, start and end dates, investigator and institution/agency; station numbers, positions and times; and equipment and methods are reported for each survey. Environmental data reported at each sampling site may include meteorological and sea surface conditions; surface and bottom temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen; and sediment characteristics. Number of individual organisms and total weight of organisms is reported for each species. Species are indicated by an NODC Taxonomic Code. Data are very sparse prior to 1971.