Search for: All records

Data presented here are discrete bottle samples for BATS validation (BVAL) cruise 50001 (April 1991) through BVAL cruise 50063 (July 2025). The sample parameter list has been mostly consistent for the full time-series record and includes: salinity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved inorganic carbon, alkalinity, nutrients (nitrate + nitrite, nitrite, phosphate, silicate), particulate organics (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous), particulate silicate, total organic carbon and nitrogen, total dissolved phosphorus, bacterial enumeration, and flow cytometry counts of picoplankton. 

Data presented here contain elemental sinking fluxes of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus (C, N, P) from the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study site from December 1988 (BATS Cruise 3) through June 2025 (BATS cruise 428). The BATS program uses a method developed by Knauer et al. (1979) which was used extensively in the VERTEX program. In summary, to trap oceanic sediment flux, BATS uses a floating array comprised of polycarbonate tubes (7 cm diameter by 53 cm height) containing a buffered brine solution, with polycarbonate filters at the bottom to collect flux. Four tubes are deployed at each depth (150, 200, and 300 meters) and three additional tubes for blank counts are prepared but not deployed. The floating sediment trap array with collection tubes is deployed during monthly BATS cruises for a target time of 72 hours, but deployment time is subject to change depending on weather and/or emergency conditions. After recovery, the filters are examined under a microscope to remove swimming zooplankton caught on the traps to prevent skewed end results. Three samples from each depth are acidified to remove inorganic carbon before measuring organic carbon and nitrogen using a CE440 Elemental Analyzer, while the remaining non-acidified sample is used for total carbon estimates. Additional tubes are also prepared and deployed (three per depth) for phosphorus samples that are analyzed at Bigelow Laboratory of Ocean Sciences using a separate analytical procedure supervised by Dr. Michael Lomas. 

Abstract BACKGROUNDHaematococcus pluvialis(Hp), a freshwater chlorophyte microalga, is a major natural source of astaxanthin (ASX), a potent antioxidant with anti‐inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and muscle pigmentation properties. However,ASXbioavailability is limited by the rigid cyst wall and, although cell wall rupture improves bioavailability, the free form is unstable under high temperatures,pHextremes, light or oxygen. Encapsulation techniques improveASXstability, making it suitable for functional foods and aquaculture, especially in salmonid feeds where natural pigments are preferred. The present study evaluates the stability of weakenedHp(Hp_w) biomass encapsulated in alginate (ALG) via ionic gelation. RESULTSEncapsulation utilizingALGachieved high efficiency (97 ± 2.63%) and loading capacity (32 ± 0.90%), confirming its suitability as a wall material.ALG‐Hp_whydrogels displayed significant color intensity, enhancing potential feed or food hues. Low bulk density (0.59 ± 0.01 g cm⁻³), moisture content (11.97 ± 0.20%) and water activity (0.28 ± 0.00) suggest minimized oxidation processes. Hydrogels measured 1.30 ± 0.06 mm with a uniform sphericity factor of 0.058 ± 0.03. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed uniformHp_wdistribution andscanning electron microscopyrevealed fissure‐free surfaces, ensuring minimal permeability. DPPH (i.e. 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity was similar betweenHp_wextract (38.32 ± 2.30% to 96.32 ± 0.88%) andALG‐Hp_whydrogels (33.20 ± 1.55% to 93.30 ± 0.44%).ALGIncreasedHp_wdecomposition temperature by 40.97 °C. Encapsulation ofHp_winALGsignificantly enhanced the bioaccessibility ofASX. TheALG‐based encapsulation effectively preservedASXstability, retaining over 90% of its content under storage conditions. CONCLUSIONALGis a suitable biopolymer for encapsulatingHp_w, preserving antioxidant activity, and enhancing thermal properties, making it valuable for broader applications. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry. 

Abstract Biodiversity collections in the United States hold over a billion specimens and are essential to understanding the history of life on Earth, as well as patterns of biodiversity in response to environmental change. Each specimen is linked by metadata to an organism's name and the place and time of its collection. Extensive data have been collected on Earth's geology, hydrology, climate, and organisms—past and present—but the data remain largely fragmented. We report in the present article on community discussions to develop a roadmap and identify action items for the Building an Integrated, Open, Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (BIOFAIR) Data Network, directly linking the various types of biological and environmental data. The roadmap is organized into five themes: stocktaking and gap analysis, technological capacity building, best practices, education and training, and community building. Together, these themes chart a path from initial resource inventories and skill building to infrastructure development, cross‑disciplinary collaboration, and the establishment of FAIR‑compliant workflows and governance. 

Key Points Simulated Prochlorococcus , Synechococcus , and pico‐eukaryotes contribute ∼60% of marine net primary productivity (NPP) Pico‐phytoplankton cycling contributes half of the marine export production, approaching parity with their contribution to NPP Pico‐eukaryotes and diatoms with elevated C:P stoichiometry enhance carbon export at poleward flanks of western boundary currents