Our Data

Phytoplankton

Why and how do we collect phytoplankton and benthic algae data at the world’s freshwater laboratory?

Phytoplankton and benthic algae form the base of aquatic food webs, providing crucial energy and nutrients to support higher trophic levels, including for invertebrates and fish.

 

However, too much phytoplankton—referred to as harmful algal blooms—is a common water quality problem around the world and is sometimes associated with toxins that are harmful to humans, terrestrial animals such as pets and livestock, and aquatic animals.

 

During each field season, we collect phytoplankton samples and identify them to the species level from our reference lakes and experimental lakes. We undertake laboratory assays on lake water from selected lakes to assess photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrogen fixation, and also deploy instrumentation within lakes that allows us to estimate ecosystem metabolism.

Which samples do we collect and for which parameters do we test? Which datasets are available?

The types of data we collect on phytoplankton and benthic algae include the following:

  • taxonomic information for phytoplankton from surface (epilimnion) and subsurface (metalimnion) layers obtained via microscopy—identifications are generally to the species level
  • density and estimated biomass for individual species, species groups (e.g., chlorophytes, cyanophytes, etc.), and total population level estimates
  • metadata, including sampling dates, locations, depths, and feeding strategies (i.e., autotrophic, heterotrophic, mesotrophic)
  • nitrogen fixation rates for algae from selected lakes
  • benthic photosynthesis and respiration rates from selected lakes

How to receive data

We are committed to ensuring the information collected from our research is available to the public. If you are interested in our data, please fill out our Scientific Data Request Form.

Scientific Data Request Form

Dive in Deeper