Dataset: Atlantic sediment black carbon, total organic carbon, and stable carbon ratio (13C) values from samples collected using a multi-corer and box corer from multiple cruises throughout the Atlantic between 1994 and 2010

Sediment samples were collected via a 4-barrel multi-corer (R/V Endeavor) and box corer (GeoB; samples previously collected from the Department of Geosciences at Bremen University, see MARUM GeoB Core Re­pos­it­ory https://www.marum.de/en/Infrastructure/MARUM-GeoB-Core-Repository.html). Sediments collected on the R/V Endeavor were segmented into 1-2 cm sections, dried in a drying oven (35°C) and homogenized via mortar and pestle; sediments from GeoB had previously been segmented into 1-10cm sections, freeze-dried and ground with a mortar and pestle. All sediments were decalcified using 10% hydrochloric acid and kept frozen until processed. Black carbon was isolated using the chemothermal oxidation at 375°C method.

Instruments:
Sediment samples from the GeoB cores were quantified using an Elementar Vario MICRO cube elemental analyzer coupled to an Isoprime100 isotope ratio-mass spectrometer (IR-MS); sediments collected on EN-480 and EN-481 were analyzed on a Carlo Erba elemental analyzer coupled to a GV Optima 588 system IR-MS. The detection limit of both instruments was 100 ng of carbon.

Location

Amazon Delta (approximately: 4 N, 47 W; 2400-3500m); Sierra Leone Rise (approximately: 7 N, 20 W; 2800-3800m), Niger Delta (approximately: 1 N, 8 E; 1200-3000m), Senegal Delta (approximately: 17 N, 17 W; 330 m), and Northwest Argentina Basin (approximately: 37 S, 39 W; 5000m)

Cruise or Deployment

R/V Endeavor (EN-480, EN-481; July/August 2010); GeoB (4901, 4903, 4904, 4905, 4907, 4908; February/March 1998), GeoB (9501; April/May 2003), GeoB (2814, July/August 1994)
* R/V Endeavor cruises were attached to this dataset as "Deployments."
* Collection information for the GeoB samples previously collected from the Department of Geosciences at Bremen University can be found in table "Atlantic Sediment Cruise Information" in the Supplemental Files section of this dataset.