Stream Algal and Moss Biomass

Summary

Abstract: 

As part of the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) project in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, a systematic sampling program has been undertaken to monitor the production of algal mats in glacial meltwater streams of the region. This table contains data showing the chlorophyll, carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen concentrations of algal communities and some mosses from selected streams from each of three Taylor Valley basins. The data set constitutes the LTER algal and moss biomass data, along with measurements of the amount of carbon and nitrogen associated with algal mats for construction of nutrient budgets.

Date Range: 

January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1994
Data Citation
Mcknight, D.M. 2015. Stream Algal and Moss Biomass. Environmental Data Initiative. DOI: 10.6073/pasta/7f85120f025e3b57ad3e14f43715b189. Dataset accessed 16 April 2024.
Dataset(s)

Variables (click to expand): 

Dataset code
  • Label:
  • Definition: Code representing stream algal and moss biomass dataset
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
strmtrnsid
  • Label:
  • Definition: Code representing stream transect
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
LOCATION
  • Label: Stream name
  • Definition: Area of stream / name of transect where samples are drawn
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
DATE_TIME
  • Label: Date
  • Definition: Date of sample
  • Type: Date/time
  • Date format: mm/dd/yyyy
  • Missing values: None specified
Algae Type
  • Label:
  • Definition: Type of algae invertebrate is associated with (red, black, green or orange)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
Replication #
  • Label:
  • Definition: Replication number of sample
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
Area sampled(cm2)
  • Label:
  • Definition: Area from which sample was drawn
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: squareCentimeters
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: Not specified
  • Precision: Not specified
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
STRMBIMS COMMENTS
  • Label: Comments
  • Definition: Comments regarding record measurement
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
Chl-a (ug/cm2)
  • Label:
  • Definition: Concentration of chlorophyll a pigment
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: microg/cm2
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: Not specified
  • Precision: 0.01
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
Chl-b (ug/cm2)
  • Label:
  • Definition: Concentration of chlorophyll b pigment
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: microg/cm2
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: Not specified
  • Precision: 0.01
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
Chl-c (ug/cm2)
  • Label:
  • Definition: Concentration of chlorophyll c pigment
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: microg/cm2
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: Not specified
  • Precision: 0.01
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
Carotenoids (ug/cm2)
  • Label:
  • Definition: Concentration of carotenoid pigment
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: microg/cm2
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: Not specified
  • Precision: Not specified
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
Phaephyton (ug/cm2)
  • Label:
  • Definition: Concentration of phaeophyton pigment
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: microg/cm2
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: Not specified
  • Precision: Not specified
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
% Nitrogen
  • Label:
  • Definition: Amount of nitrogen associated with algal mat - Percent
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: dimensionless
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: Not specified
  • Precision: 0.01
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
% Nitrogen Comments
  • Label:
  • Definition: Comments regarding % nitrogen measurement
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
% Carbon
  • Label:
  • Definition: Amount of carbon associated with algal mat
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: dimensionless
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: Not specified
  • Precision: 0.01
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
% Carbon Comments
  • Label:
  • Definition: Comments regarding % carbon measurement
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
% Hydrogen
  • Label:
  • Definition: Amount of hydrogen associated with algal mat
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: dimensionless
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: Not specified
  • Precision: 0.01
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
% Hydrogen Comments
  • Label:
  • Definition: Comments regarding % hydrogen measurement
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
File name
  • Label:
  • Definition: Original file name in which this information was submitted
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified

File: 

strmbims.csv (57.41 KB)

Short name: 

strmbims

Dataset ID: 

16
People

Principal Investigator(s): 

Diane M. McKnight

Contact: 

McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER
Related

Related publications: 

Ecological processes in a cold desert ecosystem: the abundance and species distribution of algal mats in glacial meltwater streams in Taylor Valley
Methodology

Methods: 

Within each transect, algal mats were visually identified as either orange, red, black, or green. Algal and moss samples were collected using a cork borer or a known area of substrate was scraped. Samples were stored in bottles until taken back to the lab for processing. Samples were filtered onto GF/C glass fiber filters. They were then extracted in buffered acetone and analyzed spectrophotometrically using the trichromatic method. Concentrations are reported in units of microg/cm2 for each pigment quantified (chlorophylls a, b, c, carotenoids, and phaeophyton). Carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen samples were air-dried (approximately 60 degrees C), then a weighed amount of algae was taken from the filter and analyzed on a Carlo Erba NA1500NCS element analyzer.

Maintenance: 

Data from this table was initially included in the raw data files specified under the variable for 'file name'. These are Microsoft Excel version 5.0 files and can be found on the McMurdo LTER data manager's personal computer at INSTAAR. Once submitted to INSTAAR, the data manager combined all of the stream biology files that included information for chlorophyll/biomass and removed any variables that had no direct influence. The resulting files are represented in the "strmbims.dat" and "strmbims.txt" files used on the web page. In July, 2000, dataset code and location code (strmtrnsid) fields were added. This would simplify generating links between different data and metadata fields and assist in making the data more relational / useful in Oracle and ArcInfo.

Categories

Research Section: 

LTER Core Areas: 

MCM Keywords: 

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