Cell counts (per liter) by size groups of diatoms, autotrophic and heterotrophic plankton, via epifluorescent microscopy (EPI) from CCE LTER process cruises in the California Current region, 2006 - 2016.

Microbial community assemblages of the California Current Ecosystem (CCE) are assessed for abundance of diatoms, autotrophic (dinoflagellate and other eukaryotes) and heterotrophic (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.