This time series was established in 1971. The benthic time series is currently supported and co-funded jointly with University of Liverpool. Samples are taken at two sites 2-4 times per year, but sampling was more frequent (up to 30 grabs per year) in the early years of the programme. Replicate 0.1m2 grabs are sieved over a 0.5mm mesh and the residue fixed in 4% buffered formalin. Physical samples have not been stored after identification and processing. We have detected a number of marked shifts in community assemblage composition in these samples. Station P: Located 18.5km off the Northumberland coast, at a depth of 80m (55° 07? N, 01° 15? W). Station M1: Located 10.5km off the Northumberland coast at a depth of 55m.

This time series was established in 1969. We sample plankton monthly at a site of 55m depth, five nautical miles of the Northumberland coast (550 07’N 001020’W). We use three mesh sizes: WP-3 (1mm mesh) towed obliquely WP-2 (200µm mesh) deployed in 4 vertical hauls from 50m to surface ‘fine-mesh’ conical net (65µm mesh) deployed in 4 vertical hauls from 50m to surface and pooled We preserve the samples in 4% buffered formaldehyde for storage, and subsequently transferred to 70% ethanol for processing. The physical samples are stored at the Dove Marine Laboratory. The time series was established as a zooplankton monitoring programme, and the methodology reflects this. However, the preserved samples are analysed semi-quantitatively (M Baptie) to determine long term changes in phytoplankton community composition. Both zooplankton and phytoplankton assemblages exhibit long term changes in community structure and indicators of environmental change.

with a water depth of 3m with continuous water circulation

measuring 2m in diameter and 1m high for large scale experiments in the main aquarium

measuring 1m x 1m x 2.5m designed for smaller tank experiments which require the control of temperature (3-20°) and photoperiod