Dataset: Microscopy cell counts from multivariate mesocosm experiments conducted with a natural phytoplankton community from Narragansett Bay, RI

Multivariate mesocosm experiments were conducted with a natural phytoplankton community from Narragansett Bay, RI. Water was incubated in triplicate at -0.5ºC, 2.6ºC, and 6ºC for 10 days. At each temperature, treatments included both nutrient amendments (N, P, Si addition) and controls (no macronutrients added).

At the onset and conclusion of the incubation experiments, the microplankton community was identified and quantified to discern treatment effects on community composition. Aliquots from each incubation were fixed in triplicate with 2% acid Lugol’s solution for microscopy, final concentration. Cell enumeration was conducted by performing cell counts ~>10 micrometer (µm) on a 1 milliliter (ml) Sedgewick cell-counting chamber (Structure Probe Inc.) using an Eclipse E800 microscope (Nikon).

These data were assessed as part of “The Interactive Effects of Temperature and Nutrients on a Spring Phytoplankton Community” (Anderson et al, in prep).