Database of taxonomy and abundance of phytoplankton communities collected year-round (2015/2016) using Remote Access Samplers in Van Mijenfjorden (VMF) and Kongsfjorden (KF) (Arctic, West Spitsbergen, Norway)

The database contains species composition and abundance data of Arctic phytoplankton communities collected as part of the FAABulous project: Future Arctic Algal Blooms – and their role in the context of climate change research project (2015–2020, project number 243702), funded by The Research Council of Norway.

Phytoplankton community samples were collected simultaneously in two fjords, Van Mijenfjorden (VMF) and Kongsfjorden (KF), using a single-point Remote Access Sampler (RAS-500, McLane) deployed on moorings at depths of 12 m (VMF) and 30 m (KF).

For protist community samples, the RAS-500 was equipped with 24 sample bags, each with a maximum volume of 500 mL. Prior to deployment, the sample bags were pre-loaded with a preservative solution consisting of Lugol’s iodine solution and glutaraldehyde. After 500 mL of seawater was added to each bag, the final concentration of the fixative was 2%. The deployment schedule consisted of 24 discrete sampling events, with 2 samples collected on each of the 24 sample dates, starting on 01/10/2015 and ending on 01/09/2016.

The temporal resolution was set to monthly during late fall and winter, and biweekly or weekly during spring and summer to optimally capture the dynamics of the developing phytoplankton bloom. Upon recovery, the sample bags were stored in rigid polycarbonate containers for transport to the laboratory, where nutrient and microscopic analyses were conducted.