Biological data

Inverted microscope image of a ciliate
Inverted microscope image of a ciliate ©

We hold a large quantity of marine biological data collated from many sources, many of which are publicly available. Data were collected using a variety of instruments and samplers, for example

  • Water bottle samples
  • Discrete shipboard underway measurements
  • Optical instruments
  • Bottom landers
  • Biological production experiments
  • Towed undulators
  • Sediment cores
  • Fluorometers
  • Sediment traps
  • Biological trawls
  • Benthic fauna trawls
  • Zooplankton and phytoplankton analyses
  • Camera images
  • Biogeochemical analyses

A limited amount of data collected by biological sensors, such as optical plankton counters or fluorometers, in time or depth series are now available for online delivery via our all data series facility.

We are also developing software to make discrete data available online. Currently, these are available by request from the BODC Enquiries Officer.

In the interim, we have provided plots to illustrate data coverage from water bottle samples. These images illustrate only a sub-set of the total biological data we hold.

For an enlarged view, 'click' on the image.

Global chlorophyll samples   Chlorophyll samples around the UK
     
Global plankton samples   Plankton samples around the UK
     
Global production experiments   Production experiments around the UK
     

Related BODC pages

Summary of BODC holdings     BODC data products
Project data management     Chemical data