Phytoplankton counts (cell/L)) at the 3 fixed stations and some of the 46 stations grouped into Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program (AZMP) transects under Quebec region responsibility.

Phytoplankton data counts at AZMP stations in June 2014, 2018 and 2019 are displayed as 5 layers: Diatoms, Dinoflagellates, Flagellates, Protozoans and Total Phytoplankton. Another layer displays the fixed stations Rimouski, Anticosti Gyre and Gaspe Current and the attached files contain the phytoplankton data acquired at those stations: a .png file for each one, showing time series of counts for the 5 groups, and a .csv file containing the data themselves (columns : Latitude,Longitude, Date(UTC), Depth_min/Profondeur_min(m), Depth_max/Profondeur_max(m), Diatoms/Diatomées(cells/L), Dinoflagellates/Dinoflagellés(cells/L), Flagellates/Flagellés(cells/L), Protozoans/Protozoaires(cells/L), Phytoplankton/Phytoplancton(cells/L)).

Purpose

The Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program (AZMP) was implemented in 1998 with the aim of increasing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) capacity to detect, track and predict changes in the state and productivity of the marine environment.

The AZMP collects data from a network of stations composed of high-frequency monitoring sites and cross-shelf sections in each following DFO region: Québec, Gulf, Maritimes and Newfoundland. The sampling design provides basic information on the natural variability in physical, chemical, and biological properties of the Northwest Atlantic continental shelf. Cross-shelf sections sampling provides detailed geographic information but is limited in a seasonal coverage while critically placed high-frequency monitoring sites complement the geography-based sampling by providing more detailed information on temporal changes in ecosystem properties.

In Quebec region, two surveys (46 stations grouped into transects) are conducted every year, one in June and the other in autumn in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Historically, 3 fixed stations were sampled more frequently. One of these is the Rimouski station that still takes part of the program and is sampled about weekly throughout the summer and occasionally in the winter period.

Annual reports (physical, biological and a Zonal Scientific Advice) are available from the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS), (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/index-eng.htm).

Devine, L., Scarratt, M., Plourde, S., Galbraith, P.S., Michaud, S., and Lehoux, C. 2017. Chemical and Biological Oceanographic Conditions in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence during 2015. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2017/034. v + 48 pp.

Supplemental Information

Phytoplankton samples are collected using Niskin bottles, preserved with acid Lugol solution and analysed according to AZMP sampling protocol:

Mitchell, M. R., Harrison, G., Pauley, K., Gagné, A., Maillet, G., and Strain, P. 2002. Atlantic Zonal Monitoring Program sampling protocol. Can. Tech. Rep. Hydrogr. Ocean Sci. 223: iv + 23 pp.