Dataset: Phytoplankton HPLC pigment concentrations from samples collected in the Gulf of Mexico on R/V Nancy Foster cruises in May 2017 and May 2018

This dataset is from CTD hydrocasts in the Gulf of Mexico from R/V Nancy Foster cruises in May 2017 and May 2018, which were part of a NOAA RESTORE project (aka: BLOOFINZ-GoM) to investigate the epipelagic marine nitrogen cycle, plankton dynamics, and impacts on growth and survival of larval Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (ABT). These data are meant to be used in inter-species, interregional comparisons to data from the BLOOFIN-IO study of larval Southern Bluefin Tuna in the Indian Ocean spawning region.

HPLC pigment samples (2.2-L) were collected from Niskin bottles mounted on a 24-place rosette system equipped with a Seabird SBE911 CTD and a Seapoint fluorometer. The samples were filtered onto GF/F filters, frozen in LN2 and stored at -85°C until analyses by the Horn Point Analytical Services Laboratory (University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science). Pigments were extracted and analyzed using an automated 1100 HPLC system with Agilent temperature-controlled autosampler, Peltier temperature-controlled column oven compartment, PDA detector and ChemStation software. The HPLC method uses a C8 column and a reversed phase, methanol-based solvent system (Van Heukelem and Thomas, 2001; Hooker et al., 2012). MVCHLa and DVCHLa are detected at 665 nm. Carotenoid and xanthophyll accessory pigments are detected at 450 nm. Concentrations were quantified from chromatograms relative to run standards using Agilent ChemStation software.