This collection contains benthic biofilm samples collected on 67 mm long, 1.7 cm diameter, 0.22 um Sterivex capsule filters (NEON sample class: amb_fieldParent_in.archiveID, amb_fieldParent_in.geneticSampleID). Benthic biofilm samples are collected 3 times per year at the same time and location as periphyton (microalgae) samples and microbe samples sent for sequencing analysis, three times per year in wadeable streams during aquatic biology bout windows, roughly in spring, summer, and fall. Benthic biofilms are not collected in lakes and rivers. Samples are collected from rock and wood scrubs using field-sterile methods, and filtered through a 0.22 um Sterivex SVGP capsule filters. In wadeable streams, periphyton samples are collected in the two most dominant benthic habitat types (e.g. riffles, runs, pools, step pools). Sterivex filters are capped and flash-frozen in the field and then shipped to the Biorepository to be archived at -80 degrees Celsius. See related links below for protocols and NEON related data products.