The two SOMLIT-Wimereux time-series data characterize hydrology and plankton biomass and diversity of the eastern English Channel near Boulogne sur mer, located at 50°40,75'N and 1°31,17'E and 1° 24,64'E . Fortnightly measurements have been undertaken since 1998 by a laboratory involving the CNRS, University of Lille and ULCO, named the Laboratory of Oceanology and Geoscience (UMR 8187 LOG) since 2008 (https://log.cnrs.fr). The SOMLIT-Wimereux observation station is a part of the French monitoring network SOMLIT (https://www.somlit.fr/), accredited by the CNRS as a national Earth Science Observatory (Service National d’Observation : SNO). It aims to detect the long-term evolution of these ecosystems including both natural and anthropogenic forcings.
The development of a systematic approach to observing coastal environments is the result of local initiatives, based either on opportunities or on a tradition of scientific culture specific to each Marine Station / Marine Laboratory. The federation of these efforts by four French coastal stations (Roscoff, Arcachon-Bordeaux, Marseille, and Villefranche-sur-Mer), through RESOMAR, led to the establishment of the Service d'Observation en Milieu Littoral (SOMLIT) in 1995. In 1996, SOMLIT was accredited by the INSU (Ocean-Atmosphere domain), giving it the status of National Observation Service (SNO). The first banked data appeared in January 1997. Following new evaluations, SOMLIT was again accredited in 2001, 2005, 2009, 2015, and 2020. Since its creation, various Marine Stations have joined SOMLIT:  1996: Roscoff, Arcachon-Bordeaux, Marseille, and Villefranche-sur-Mer  1997 : Banyuls-sur-Mer  1998 : Wimereux and Brest  2007 : Luc-sur-Mer  2011 : La Rochelle  2012 : Dinard  2015 : Sète  2017 : the station of Anglet started the acquisition of SOMLIT parameters. It is not yet in the labelled perimeter. SOMLIT currently includes 11 Marine Stations / Marine Laboratories within its certified perimeter and a Marine Station that acquires data according to SOMLIT protocols.
In addition to the acquisition of all the parameters collected under the SNO SOMLIT, additional samples are taken by some LOG researchers to support other SNOs (PHYTOBS, U. Christaki) and related research activities related to the characterization of microbial diversity using molecular tools (S. Monchy & U. Christaki), microbial and phytoplanktonic dynamics using automated approaches (F. Artigas), photosynthetic activity using automated variable fluorescence (F. Lizon) and zooplankton diversity (A. Delegrange).