PML Benthic Survey microbial gene abundance data from four sites (Jennycliff, Cawsand, Rame and L4) in the Western English Channel surveyed bimonthly from July 2008 to May 2011.

Microbial gene abundance data from surface sediment samples collected as part of the Western Channel Observatory (WCO). DNA was extracted from surface sediment samples taken every two months from July 2008 to May 2011 from four sites with contrasting sediment characteristics and depth in the WCO. Two sites are muddy (Jennycliff and Rame) and two are have sandy sediments (Cawsand and L4). Jennycliff and Cawsand have water depths of 10 m, Rame is 45 m and L4 is 55 m deep. For four replicate sediment samples, abundance measurements of bacteria 16S rRNA genes, archaeal 16S rRNA genes, Planctomycete 16S rRNA genes, bacterial and archeal ammonia oxidising genes (amoA) and nitrite oxidizer genes (nirS) were made using quantitative PCR (pPCR). Both site and seasonal changes to the abundance of 16S rRNA and functional genes are apparent.