Table of Contents

• Coverage
• Dataset Description
  • Methods & Sampling
  • Data Processing Description
• Data Files
• Parameters
• Instruments
• Deployments
• Project Information
• Funding

Data have been published “as is”. Final review by the data submitter was not received after it was imported into the BCO-DMO data system.

The zooplankton assemblage was collected using a 1m2 Multiple Opening/Closing Nets and Environmental Sampling System (MOCNESS), with all nets and cod ends at 202 µm mesh. All tows were conducted at Station ALOHA (22° 45’N 158° W) A total of 5 tows sampled the full water column between 1000 m and the sea surface, with 3 day and 2 night paired tows. Depth strata were as follows: 0-1000m (Net 0), 1000-800 m (Net 1), 800-600m (Net 2), 600-500m (Net 3), 500-400m (Net 4), 400-300m (Net 5), 300-200m (Net 6), 200-100m (Net 7), 100-50m (Net 8), 50-0m (Net 9).

Bulk plankton from each net and tow were quantitatively split using a Folsom plankton splitter, with additional processing or preservation for several analyses.  Two additional ‘short’ MOCNESS tows were conducted to sample the base of the mesopelagic (700-1000m) and epipelagic (0-200 m) for metatranscriptomic analyses of the zooplankton assemblage.  Rapid recovery and preservation of the material was important in this case, given primary interest in gene expression profiles, and so the nets were flown as quickly as possible through midwater.

Quantitative subsamples of bulk plankton were preserved as follows:

1. Formalin-preserved – sodium tetraborate buffered formaldehyde, preserved broadly following CalCOFI protocols (https://calcofi.org/about-calcofi/calcofi-handbook/301-net-sample-preservation.html).  Analyses: ZooScan, Microscopy
2. Size-fractionated into 5 or 2 fractions (0.2-0.5 mm, 0.5-1.0 mm, 1.0-2.0 mm, 2.0-5.0 mm, >5.0 mm OR 0.2-1.0 mm, >1.0 mm), filtered onto 200 µm Nitex filters, rinsed with ammonium formate, and followed by cryopreservation and storage at -80° C. Analyses: biomass, bioelements, isotopes.
3. Filtered onto 200 µm Nitex filters, followed by preservation in RNALater and storage at -80° C. Analyses: Metabarcoding.
4. Filtered onto 200 µm Nitex filters, flash frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen. Analyses: Electron Transport System (ETS) activity assay.
5. Size-fractionated into 2 fractions (0.2 - 1.0 mm, > 1.0 mm) and analyzed shipboard for alkaline phosphatase activity (APA assay)

BCO-DMO Processing:

• renamed fields to remove spaces, and problematic characters
• converted time to UTC
• converted lat lon to decimal degrees 
• split size fraction column into min and max values
• split target depths column into min and max values

NSF Award Abstract:

Intellectual Merit
The PIs request funds to provide training in leading and organizing research cruises to early career researchers in the areas of Biological and Chemical Oceanography. Participants in this training program would be introduced to pre-cruise planning and logistics, receive training in commonly used oceanographic sampling equipment, and conduct shipboard measurements during a 10-day oceanographic cruise to the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG). The goal of this training program is to prepare early career scientists for leading and participating in interdisciplinary oceanographic research at sea.

Broader Impacts
The proposed program addresses the broader impacts criteria successfully. The research cruise and follow-up reports and publications focus on interdisciplinary questions important for advancing the field. Given the rapid changes that oceanic systems are undergoing, it is important to have a cadre of junior scientists who are adept at managing interdisciplinary collaborations and conducting research at sea. The PIs are considering ways to connect with diverse audiences in recruiting participants. The impact on early career oceanographers will be very strong. This will create an experience that will be a major impact on the careers of the trainees, especially if they stay in the oceanography field.