BIONESS profile and plankton sample collection data, cruise PTS03, northern Gulf of Mexico, July 2016

Depth-discrete plankton samples were collected during CONCORDE cruise PTS03 (July 23rd-July 30th, 2016) using a Bedford Institute of Oceanography Net Environmental Sampling System (BIONESS). The BIONESS (0.25 m2 opening) was fitted with six 333-µm mesh nets and three 202-µm mesh nets. Profile data (depth, temperature, salinity) were obtained with a SBE-19+ CTD (Sea-Bird Electronics) integrated with the BIONESS data logger. Samples were collected generally between the 15 and 32 m depth contours between the Chandeleur Islands and the Alabama/Florida border to assess the horizontal and vertical distribution of plankton under variable freshwater discharge and low dissolved oxygen conditions characteristic of the summer. Related data from this cruise can be found in GRIIDC datasets: R4.x260.000:0009 (zooplankton and ichthyoplankton), R4.x260.000:0028 (mesozooplankton dry weight), R4.x260.000:0006 (Neuston collection data), and R4.x260.000:0036 (mesozooplankton gut fluorescence).