Samples were collected using a prototype basket sampler that concentrated phytoplankton from the underway water supply in the OG lab onboard Aurora Australis. The sampler filtered water during transit, and the distance travelled and the approximate volume of water sampled was recorded. A phytoplankton net tow was collected at each station. The majority of imaging was undertaken using a Leica DMLB2 microscope with phase contrastand Leica ICC50 digital in body camera. Samples were preserved with either glutaraldhyde or Lugols iodine for later examination as well. Details of sample collected are included in the Voyage sample log.

This data provides the absolute abundance of diatom valves from cores recovered from the George V coast as part of the CEAMARC (Collaborative East Antarctic Marine Census) mission of 2007-2008. Data are presented as valves/gram dry weight of sediment. All samples analyzed were core top samples, however no age constraints have been established. Chaetoceros resting spores were included in the absolute abundance calculations. Slides were prepared following Rathburn et al 1997.