Monitoring data were collected from Zingster Strom on behalf of University of Rostock to assess the composition and structure of planktonic microbial communities. The focus of this monitoring program was on phytoplankton, defined here as planktonic photoautotrophic microorganisms, including both eukaryotic microalgae and cyanobacteria, as well as closely associated protists.

Water samples were collected directly from the basin using a 2 L water sampler to ensure representative capture of the planktonic community. In the laboratory, each sample was subsampled into two separate 2 mL aliquots to allow for complementary preservation and analysis approaches.

One aliquot was fixed with Lugol's iodine solution, a standard preservative widely used in phytoplankton studies due to its effectiveness in maintaining cell morphology and enabling reliable identification and counting under light microscopy. The second aliquot was fixed with glutaraldehyde, which provides superior preservation of fine cellular structures and is particularly suitable for smaller or more delicate taxa.

Microscopic examination was conducted using an optical microscope, allowing for taxonomic identification based on morphological characteristics. The monitored taxa encompassed a broad range of phytoplankton groups, including cyanobacteria (e.g., Microcystis, Anabaena), green algae (e.g., Scenedesmus, Pediastrum), diatoms (e.g., Navicula, Cyclotella), dinoflagellates (e.g., Ceratium, Peridinium), cryptophytes, euglenoids, and other protistan lineages. This diverse assemblage reflects the ecological complexity of transitional coastal systems such as Zingster Strom, where freshwater and marine influences intersect.