Phytoplankton abundance and composition and physico-chemical parameters in the Ebro delta embayments (Alfacs Bay and Fangar Bay, North Western Mediterranean) during 1990-2019.

The dataset PHYTOENVDELTA contains the weekly values of abundance (cells/L) for more than 200 taxa of marine planktonic microalgae at 10 sampling stations located in the two embayments of the Ebro delta, together with the physico-chemical parameters (temperature (°C), salinity, oxygen saturation (%) measured at the same sampling stations during 30 years (1990-2019). The dataset PHYTOENVDELTA contains results of the Phytoplankton Monitoring Program in the main shellfish growing areas of Catalonia located in the Ebro delta.

The program was officially launched in 1990 in order to comply with the legislation on official control, and has maintained weekly sampling frequency at 10 stations in total, 5 in each bay until present. Integrated seawater samples are taken from a boat using a silicone hose at all 10 stations, in addition surface and bottom water samples are taken at two central stations, one in each bay. Analysis is conducted using inverted microscopy (Utermöhl method).