http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset/998220
eng; USA
utf8
dataset
Highest level of data collection, from a common set of sensors or instrumentation, usually within the same research project
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
pointOfContact
2026-05-07
ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data
ISO 19115-2:2009(E)
Zooplankton-mediated aggregate formation was measured during seven Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) cruises aboard the R/V Atlantic Explorer Jul 2021 to Mar 2023
2026-05-14
publication
2026-05-14
revision
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI BCO-DMO)
2026-05-13
publication
https://doi.org/10.26008/1912/bco-dmo.998220.1
Susanne Neuer
Arizona State University
principalInvestigator
Kaitlin Baird
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Leocadio Blanco-Bercial
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Amy Elizabeth Maas
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
publisher
Cite this dataset as: Neuer, S., Blanco-Bercial, L., Maas, A. E., Baird, K., Niimi, Y. J. (2026) Zooplankton-mediated aggregate formation was measured during seven Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) cruises aboard the R/V Atlantic Explorer Jul 2021 to Mar 2023. Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO). (Version 2) Version Date 2026-05-14 [if applicable, indicate subset used]. doi:10.26008/1912/bco-dmo.998220.2 [access date]
Roller Tank Experiment BATS 2021-2023 Dataset Description: Methods and Sampling: <p><strong>Zooplankton Collection</strong></p>
<p>Live zooplankton were collected using a 1-m², 150-µm mesh Reeve net for roller tank incubation experiments. Unfiltered seawater used to fill the roller tanks was collected from the same depth as the zooplankton.</p>
<p><strong>Roller Tank Incubations</strong></p>
<p>Roller tank experiments were conducted using eight 5-L acid-washed roller tanks filled with unfiltered seawater collected from the same depth as the zooplankton. These incubations were used to assess the formation of zooplankton-mediated aggregates. Live zooplankton individuals were incubated in rotating tanks under controlled conditions, and aggregate production was recorded over a three-day incubation period. Dataset records include the taxonomic identity of incubated individuals and qualitative and quantitative descriptions of aggregate formation.</p>
Funding provided by NSF Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE) Award Number: OCE-2023621 Award URL: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award?AWD_ID=2023621
Funding provided by NSF Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE) Award Number: OCE-2023372 Award URL: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award?AWD_ID=2023372
completed
Susanne Neuer
Arizona State University
480-727-7254
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences School of Life Sciences 427 East Tyler Mall
Tempe
AZ
85287-4501
USA
susanne.neuer@asu.edu
pointOfContact
Kaitlin Baird
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
+1 441 297 1880 ext 238
kaitlin.noyes@bios.edu
pointOfContact
Leocadio Blanco-Bercial
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
leocadio@asu.edu
pointOfContact
Amy Elizabeth Maas
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
508-289-2462
17 Biological Station Ferry Reach
St.George's GE 01
Bermuda
amaas4@asu.edu
pointOfContact
asNeeded
Dataset Version: 2
Unknown
Start_Date
Latitude
Longitude
Cruise
Start_Time
End_Time
Total_Time
Hours
Rolling_Start_Time
Takedown_Date
Takedown_Time
Min_Depth
Max_Depth
Experiment
Zooplankton_Groups
Zooplankton_Taxa
Num_Zooplankton_At_Beginning
Num_Zooplankton_Alive
Num_Fecal_Aggregate
Num_Fecal_Pellet
Saved_for_DNA
Created_Slides
Animal_FecalPellet_Notes
Datetime_Start_UTC
stereomicroscope
Reeve net
rotating tanks
theme
None, User defined
date
latitude
longitude
Cruise identifier
time_start_local
time_end_local
time_elapsed
time_start
time_end
depth_min
depth_max
experiment id
animal group (category)
taxon
count
No BCO-DMO term
activity and comments
ISO_DateTime_UTC
featureType
BCO-DMO Standard Parameters
Microscope - Optical
Reeve Net
Roller Tank
instrument
BCO-DMO Standard Instruments
AE2306
AE2112
AE2114
AE2124
AE2204
AE2214
AE2224
service
Deployment Activity
Bermuda
North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre - Bermuda Atlantic Time Series (BATS) and Hydrostation S site
place
Locations
otherRestrictions
otherRestrictions
Access Constraints: none. Use Constraints: Please follow guidelines at: http://www.bco-dmo.org/terms-use Distribution liability: Under no circumstances shall BCO-DMO be liable for any direct, incidental, special, consequential, indirect, or punitive damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the materials in this data submission. If you are dissatisfied with any materials in this data submission your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue use.
Collaborative Research: Zooplankton mediation of particle formation in the Sargasso Sea
https://osprey.bco-dmo.org/project/816744
Collaborative Research: Zooplankton mediation of particle formation in the Sargasso Sea
<p><em>NSF Award Abstract:</em><br />
The purpose of this collaborative project is to advance understanding of the role of marine planktonic animals (or zooplankton) in the biological pump, or transport of carbon from surface to deeper ocean waters. This movement of carbon from surface to deep ocean water can ultimately affect carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, with implications for global climate. Many marine zooplankton, including species of copepods and krill, play a direct role in the biological pump both because they are abundant and because they can migrate from surface waters at night, where they feed, to depths of more than 500 m at night. At the same time, some organisms called flux feeders will remain at depth and do not migrate. Instead, they rely on particles produced by other zooplankton feeding in surface waters. In this project, the investigators are focusing on populations of flux feeders in the deeper ocean waters of the Sargasso Sea. They are leveraging an ongoing long-term research program, conducting field collections using specialized nets and particle traps, as well lab experiments, as a way to understand how these organisms modify the particles around them. This project is supporting a postdoctoral scientist and providing research experiences for undergraduates at two institutions. An education specialist is creating lesson plans for an award-winning Ask-A-Biologist website, designed for public and K-12 audiences. Images of zooplankton will be disseminated to the public and scientific community via EcoTaxa (a web platform devoted to plankton biodiversity, with images and taxonomic annotation) and physical samples will be archived as part of a teaching library.</p>
<p>The oceanic biological carbon pump refers to the export of dissolved and particulate organic carbon to the deep ocean, and it is a significant driver of atmospheric carbon uptake by the oceans. Evidence from long-term research carried out at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site suggests that the spectrum of particles collected by gel-traps below the euphotic zone changes drastically below 150 m, which is attributed to resident populations of zooplankton that feed on vertically migrating zooplankton as well as sinking particles. The goals of this study are to investigate the role of different zooplankton taxa on both particle aggregate formation and in particle transformation, and to compare and characterize the particles generated by the zooplankton communities with those collected by particle traps. The investigators are combining field collections with experiments onboard ship and in environmental chambers. They are collecting samples over two years, with three cruises a year to capture distinct seasons. They are assessing high-resolution vertical distribution of zooplankton in the upper 600 m using Multiple Opening-Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) tows during day- and night-time, to distinguish diel vertical migrators from resident populations and to quantify contributions to particulate organic carbon flux via fecal pellet production. On each cruise, sinking particles are being collected using gel trap tubes attached to the particle traps deployed monthly at BATS. In addition, roller tank experiments are determining how individual zooplankton mediate aggregate formation. Particle types and fecal pellets are being characterized using image analysis and DNA-based analysis of microbial communities. Finally, ongoing data collection from the long-term BATS program is providing invaluable environmental context and will ensure results from this study contribute to ongoing community efforts to observe and predict the fate of carbon in our global system.</p>
<p>This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.</p>
Zooplankton Mediation
largerWorkCitation
project
eng; USA
biota
oceans
Bermuda; North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre - Bermuda Atlantic Time Series (BATS) and Hydrostation S site
-64.47745
-63.91948
31.617685
32.17011667
2021-07-16
2023-03-26
Sargasso Sea/BATS area
0
BCO-DMO catalogue of parameters from Zooplankton-mediated aggregate formation was measured during seven Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) cruises aboard the R/V Atlantic Explorer Jul 2021 to Mar 2023
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
pointOfContact
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998579.rdf
Name: Start_Date
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Date of experiment start (Atlantic/Bermuda timezone (GMT-4)) when animals were placed into the roller tanks and the zooplankton incubation began</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998580.rdf
Name: Latitude
Units: decimal degrees
Description: <p>Latitude of sampling or experiment location, positive is North</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998582.rdf
Name: Longitude
Units: decimal degrees
Description: <p>Longitude of sampling or experiment location, negative is West</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998584.rdf
Name: Cruise
Units: unitless
Description: <p>R/V Atlantic Explorer (AE) cruise ID number</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998585.rdf
Name: Start_Time
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Time incubation started when animals were placed into the roller tanks and the zooplankton incubation began (Atlantic/Bermuda timezone (GMT-4))</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998586.rdf
Name: End_Time
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Time roller tank incubation ended and the tanks were removed from the roller table (Atlantic/Bermuda timezone (GMT-4))</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998587.rdf
Name: Total_Time
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Duration of incubation</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998588.rdf
Name: Hours
Units: hours
Description: <p>The Hours column represents the total deployment duration expressed as whole hours. It is calculated by rounding the Total_Time (hh:mm) up to the nearest hour</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998589.rdf
Name: Rolling_Start_Time
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Time after experiment began when the roller tank rotation was started (Atlantic/Bermuda timezone (GMT-4))</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998590.rdf
Name: Takedown_Date
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Date when the tanks were taken down and particles were picked out of the tanks for processing (Atlantic/Bermuda timezone (GMT-4))</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998591.rdf
Name: Takedown_Time
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Time when the tanks were taken down and particles were picked out of the tanks for processing (Atlantic/Bermuda timezone (GMT-4))</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998592.rdf
Name: Min_Depth
Units: meters (m)
Description: <p>Minimum depth of sampling or incubation</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998593.rdf
Name: Max_Depth
Units: meters (m)
Description: <p>Maximum depth of sampling or incubation</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998594.rdf
Name: Experiment
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Experimental treatment or experiment identifier</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998595.rdf
Name: Zooplankton_Groups
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Broad taxonomic or functional group of zooplankton</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998596.rdf
Name: Zooplankton_Taxa
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Lowest identified taxonomic classification of zooplankton</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998597.rdf
Name: Num_Zooplankton_At_Beginning
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Number of live zooplankton individuals at experiment start</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998598.rdf
Name: Num_Zooplankton_Alive
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Number of zooplankton alive or present at end of experiment or analysis</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998599.rdf
Name: Num_Fecal_Aggregate
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Number of fecal aggregates observed</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998600.rdf
Name: Num_Fecal_Pellet
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Number of fecal pellets produced or analyzed</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998601.rdf
Name: Saved_for_DNA
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Indicates whether sample was preserved for genetic analysis</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998602.rdf
Name: Created_Slides
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Indicates whether microscopy slides were prepared</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998603.rdf
Name: Animal_FecalPellet_Notes
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Qualitative observations on animal condition, pellet structure, or anomalies</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/998604.rdf
Name: Datetime_Start_UTC
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Datetime incubation started when animals were placed into the roller tanks and the zooplankton incubation began (UTC), combines Start_Date and Start_Time</p>
GB/NERC/BODC > British Oceanographic Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, United Kingdom
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
pointOfContact
https://doi.org/10.26008/1912/bco-dmo.998220.1
download
onLine
dataset
<p><strong>Zooplankton Collection</strong></p>
<p>Live zooplankton were collected using a 1-m², 150-µm mesh Reeve net for roller tank incubation experiments. Unfiltered seawater used to fill the roller tanks was collected from the same depth as the zooplankton.</p>
<p><strong>Roller Tank Incubations</strong></p>
<p>Roller tank experiments were conducted using eight 5-L acid-washed roller tanks filled with unfiltered seawater collected from the same depth as the zooplankton. These incubations were used to assess the formation of zooplankton-mediated aggregates. Live zooplankton individuals were incubated in rotating tanks under controlled conditions, and aggregate production was recorded over a three-day incubation period. Dataset records include the taxonomic identity of incubated individuals and qualitative and quantitative descriptions of aggregate formation.</p>
Specified by the Principal Investigator(s)
<p>Raw zooplankton sample metadata (cruise ID, station, date, time, depth interval, and diel period) were recorded at sea during each cruise. Zooplankton taxa used in roller tank experiments were identified to the lowest practical taxonomic level using stereomicroscope images and standard taxonomic references.</p>
<p>Roller tank experiment data were processed by recording the presence, number, and size of aggregates formed during each incubation period and associating these observations with the taxonomic identity of the incubated zooplankton.</p>
<p>All data were compiled, quality-checked for transcription errors, and formatted into standardized tables for submission. No statistical analyses, model-based flux calculations, or graphical processing are included in the submitted datasets.</p>
Specified by the Principal Investigator(s)
**Version 1**
- Loaded "Roller_Tanks.csv" as resource "roller_tanks" (CSV format, header row 1, treating "" and "nd" as missing values)
- Converted Start_Date from format "%m/%d/%Y" to date output "%Y-%m-%d"
- Converted Takedown_Date from format "%m/%d/%Y" to date output "%Y-%m-%d"
- Combined Start_Date and Start_Time fields (Atlantic/Bermuda timezone) into new datetime field Datetime_Start_UTC, converting to UTC, formatted as "%Y-%m-%dT%H:%MZ"
- Renamed fields: Min_Depth_(m) to Min_Depth, Max_Depth_(m) to Max_Depth, #_of_Zooplankton_At_Beginning to Num_Zooplankton_At_Beginning, #_Zooplankton_Alive to Num_Zooplankton_Alive, #_Fecal_Aggregate to Num_Fecal_Aggregate, #_Fecal_Pellet to Num_Fecal_Pellet, Animal/FecalPellet_Notes to Animal_FecalPellet_Notes
- Edited two cells: row 9 Takedown_Date set to 2021-08-13 and Takedown_Time set to 19:00; row 45 Takedown_Date set to 2022-12-04 and Takedown_Time set to 3:00, upon submitter request
- Renamed resource from "roller_tanks" to "998220_v1_roller_tank_exp"
- Output written to 998220_v1_roller_tank_exp.csv
**Version 2**
Addition of missing time values provided by submitter. Processing was done using original submitted file with missing data added to edited cells. See details below.
- Loaded "Roller_Tanks.csv" as resource "roller_tanks" (CSV format, header row 1, treating "" and "nd" as missing values)
- Edited cells in rows 21, 22, 38, and 40 to fill missing End_Time, Total_Time, Hours, and Start_Time values provided by submitter
- Converted Start_Date from format "%m/%d/%Y" to date output "%Y-%m-%d"
- Converted Takedown_Date from format "%m/%d/%Y" to date output "%Y-%m-%d"
- Combined Start_Date and Start_Time fields (Atlantic/Bermuda timezone) into new datetime field Datetime_Start_UTC, converting to UTC, formatted as "%Y-%m-%dT%H:%MZ"
- Renamed fields: Min_Depth_(m) to Min_Depth, Max_Depth_(m) to Max_Depth, #_of_Zooplankton_At_Beginning to Num_Zooplankton_At_Beginning, #_Zooplankton_Alive to Num_Zooplankton_Alive, #_Fecal_Aggregate to Num_Fecal_Aggregate, #_Fecal_Pellet to Num_Fecal_Pellet, Animal/FecalPellet_Notes to Animal_FecalPellet_Notes
- Edited two cells: row 9 Takedown_Date set to 2021-08-13 and Takedown_Time set to 19:00; row 45 Takedown_Date set to 2022-12-04 and Takedown_Time set to 3:00, upon submitter request
- Output written to 998220_v2_roller_tank_exp.csv
Specified by BCO-DMO Data Managers
asNeeded
7.x-1.1
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
pointOfContact
stereomicroscope
stereomicroscope
PI Supplied Instrument Name: stereomicroscope PI Supplied Instrument Description:Zooplankton taxa used in roller tank experiments were identified to the lowest practical taxonomic level using stereomicroscope images and standard taxonomic references. Instrument Name: Microscope - Optical Instrument Short Name: Instrument Description: Instruments that generate enlarged images of samples using the phenomena of reflection and absorption of visible light. Includes conventional and inverted instruments. Also called a "light microscope". Community Standard Description: http://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/L05/current/LAB05/
Reeve net
Reeve net
PI Supplied Instrument Name: Reeve net PI Supplied Instrument Description:Live zooplankton were collected using a 1-m², 150-µm mesh Reeve net for roller tank incubation experiments. Instrument Name: Reeve Net Instrument Short Name:Reeve Net Instrument Description: A Reeve Net is a conventional ring net with a very large acrylic cylindrical cod-end (30 liters) designed to collect fragile gelatinous animals. The net is lowered to a particular depth and then hauled slowly back to the surface (5-10 m/min). Reeve (1981) also described a double net system with no bridle and flotation at the net mouth that is attached to a roller mechanism that rides on a tow wire.
The roller system is locked in place by a pressure release device. Once below a set pressure, the roller
and nets are released and they float slowly up the wire, gently collecting the zooplankton, without being
influenced by the motion of the vessel and associated vertical wire movements. (from Wiebe and Benfield, 2003) Community Standard Description: http://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/L22/current/NETT0147/
rotating tanks
rotating tanks
PI Supplied Instrument Name: rotating tanks PI Supplied Instrument Description:Live zooplankton individuals were incubated in rotating tanks under controlled conditions, and aggregate production was recorded over a three-day incubation period. Instrument Name: Roller Tank Instrument Short Name:Roller Tank Instrument Description: Rolling tanks, which keep particles in suspension, thus simulating aggregate formation in situ.
Marine snow experiments are conducted in roller tanks, which turn continuously, keeping marine snow in suspension. It is important for marine snow not to touch surfaces. The rolling tanks, which keep particles in suspension, thus simulate aggregate formation in situ. Marine snow formation due to different types of oil was tested. Some treatments are easily identifiable as containing oil by their color (middle). UCSB, CA 2012.
Cruise: AE2306
AE2306
R/V Atlantic Explorer
Community Standard Description
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
R/V Atlantic Explorer
vessel
AE2306
Claire Medley
Cruise: AE2112
AE2112
R/V Atlantic Explorer
Community Standard Description
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
R/V Atlantic Explorer
vessel
AE2112
Rodney J. Johnson
Cruise: AE2114
AE2114
R/V Atlantic Explorer
Community Standard Description
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
R/V Atlantic Explorer
vessel
AE2114
Craig A. Carlson
University of California-Santa Barbara
Cruise: AE2124
AE2124
R/V Atlantic Explorer
Community Standard Description
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
R/V Atlantic Explorer
vessel
AE2124
Paul J. Lethaby
Cruise: AE2204
AE2204
R/V Atlantic Explorer
Community Standard Description
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
R/V Atlantic Explorer
vessel
AE2204
Zachary Anderson
Cruise: AE2214
AE2214
R/V Atlantic Explorer
Community Standard Description
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
R/V Atlantic Explorer
vessel
AE2214
Zachary Anderson
Cruise: AE2224
AE2224
R/V Atlantic Explorer
Community Standard Description
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
R/V Atlantic Explorer
vessel
AE2224
Rodney J. Johnson
R/V Atlantic Explorer
Community Standard Description
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
R/V Atlantic Explorer
vessel