Searching for samples

The Planet Microbe search interface is accessible at: https://www.planetmicrobe.org/#/search

The Search interface is divided in 4 areas:

1. Map search

The map presents the samples' positions on the globe. By default the map presents the number of samples available by areas. Red circles denotes area where more than a 100 samples are available, yellow circles show areas with a number of samples from 10 to 100 and blue circles denotes areas where less than 10 samples are available. Zooming in a particular area on the map allows to display a more detailed location for the samples. The precise position of uniques samples are displayed as a red pointer on the map.

The map search allows the user to select geographical regions of interest using the hand picking tools or a drawing a circle selection of the sample.

2. 4 Dimensions search

The top left panel of the search interface allows to select samples on their mandatory 4 dimensions (latitude, longitude, depth and collection time).

Latitude and longitude selection

Filtering on the sample latitude and longitude selection can be expressed using exact coordinate (in decimal degree). Samples collected in a region can be retrieved using a point latitude and longitude coordinate and a radius of the selection (in km).

Depth filtering

The collection depth of the sample can be used to retrieve samples taken at a precise depth, a depth range or using an offset (in meters).

The settings of the depth filter is accessible on the right side of the search, using the setting icon.

3. Sample attributes search

The sample attribute search allows to further refine your search using a set of curated attribute terms.

Project, biome, feature and material search

By default the Project name, sample biome, sample environmental feature and sample environmental material is displayed.

Adding additional attribute filters

Additional attribute filters can be added using the "Add filter" function.

Note: Adding a filter will automatically reduce the searchable samples to samples containing this attribute. Filters can be removed from the search using the close icon on the top right of the filter search.

The help ("?") icon displays definitions and units for the filters.

Using additional attribute filters

The unit used for the filter is displayed next to the attribute name in brackets (if applicable). Each numeric attribute filters can be used using an exact measure, a range or an offset. The settings for the filters are accessible using the setting icon on the corner right of the search field.

The barchart icon on the top right of the search fild will display the distribution of the attribute of interest in the complete Planet Microbe database.

4. Results of the search

The result of the search is displayed in the result area, and the samples and attributes used for the search are listed in a table in the panel "samples".

The same result is also displayed as summary bar charts in the panel "Summary".