PML Benthic Survey water column nutrient concentrations from 4 different benthic study sites off Plymouth, South West England, between 2008 and 2011.

Results are reported for the analysis of water samples taken from the overlying water column of 4 different study sites occupied on a bi-monthly basis, when possible, during a 3 year Benthic Study programme off Plymouth, on the south-west coast of England, United Kingdom. The analyses are reported for Nitrate+Nitrite, Nitrite, Silicate and Phosphate concentrations. Results show variations across the year with the main influence to particularly the upper water column being the output of the River Tamar and the nutrients fed out during periods of rainfall. Water column structure is seen for each site, with the sites varying from L4 which is an offshore coastal site, Rame Head which is a essentially a mud based strata, to Cawsand Bay and Jennycliff which are both situated within Plymouth Sound and hence are shallow and are greatly influenced by the river outputs.