Abundance and biomass of mesozooplankton in the Levantine Basin during the Bilim 2 cruise in April 2008

The Sesame dataset contains mesozooplankton data collected during April 2008 in the Levantine Basin (between 33.20 and 36.50 N latitude and between 30.99 and 31.008 E longitude). Mesozooplankton samples were collected by using a WP-2 closing net with 200 µm mesh size during day hours (07:00-18:00). Samples were taken from 0-50, 50-100, 100-200 m layers at 5 stations in Levantine Basin The dataset includes samples analyzed for mesozooplankton species composition, abundance and total mesozooplankton biomass. Sampling volume was estimated by multiplying the mouth area with the wire length. Sampling biomass was measured by weighing filters and then determined by sampling volume. The samples were sieved sequentially through meshes of 500 and 200 micron to separate the mesozooplankton into size fractions. The entire sample (1/2) or an aliquot of the taxon-specific mesozooplankton abundance and the total abundance of the mesozooplankton were was analyzed under the binocular microscope. Minimum 500 individuals of mesozooplankton were identified and numerated at higher taxonomic level. Taxonomic identification was done at the METU- Institute of Marine Sciences by Alexandra Gubanova,Tuba Terbiyik using the relevant taxonomic literatures. Mesozooplankton abundance and biomass were estimated by Zahit Uysal and Yesim Ak.

Abundance of mesozooplankton in the Levantine Basin during the Bilim 2 cruise in October 2008

The Sesame dataset contains mesozooplankton data collected during October 2008 in the Levantine Basin (between 33.20 and 36.50 N latitude and between 30.99 and 31.008 E longitude). Mesozooplankton samples were collected by using a WP-2 closing net with 200 µm mesh size during day hours (07:00-18:00). Samples were taken from 0-50, 50-100, 100-200 m layer at 5 stations in Levantine Basin The dataset includes samples analyzed for mesozooplankton species composition, abundance and total mesozooplankton biomass. The entire sample (1/2) or an aliquot was analyzed under the binocular microscope. Minimum 500 individuals of mesozooplankton were identified and numerated at higher taxonomic level. Taxonomic identification was done at the METU- Institute of Marine Sciences by Alexandra Gubanova,Tuba Terbiyik using the relevant taxonomic literatures. Mesozooplankton abundance and biomass were estimated by Zahit Uysal and Yesim Ak Örek. Specification via marine planktonic copepods database (http://copepodes.obs-banyuls.fr/en/).

Abundance of mesozooplankton in the Cilician Basin during the Bilim 2 cruise in March 2008

The Sesame dataset contains mesozooplankton data collected during March 2008 in the Cilician Basin (between between 35.40'- 36.79 N latitude and 33.19- 36.07 E ). Mesozooplankton samples were collected by using a WP-2 closing net with 200 micron mesh size during day hours (07:00-18:00). Samples were taken in the 0-50, 50-100, 100-200 m layer at 6 stations in the Cilician Basin. The dataset includes samples analyzed for mesozooplankton species composition, abundance and total biomass (Dry weight(mg/m**3)). Taxon-specific mesozooplankton abundance: 1/2 sample or an aliquot was analyzed under the binocular microscope. Copepod species were identified and enumerated; the other mesozooplankters were identified and enumerated at higher taxonomic level (commonly named as mesozooplankton groups). Taxonomic identification was done at the METU-Institute of Marine Sciences by Tuba Terbiyik using the relevant taxonomic literatures. Mesozooplankton total abundance: 1/2 sample or an aliquot was analyzed under the binocular microscope. Copepod species were identified and enumerated; the other mesozooplankters were identified and enumerated at higher taxonomic level (commonly named as mesozooplankton groups). Taxonomic identification was done at the METU-Institute of Marine Sciences using the relevant taxonomic literatures

Documentation of sediment cores during SONNE Expedition SO228 from the western tropical Pacific

The core descriptions (chapter 7) summarize the most important results of the analysis of each sediment core following procedures applied during ODP/IODP expeditions. All cores were opened, described, and color-scanned. In the core descriptions the first column displays the lithological data that are based on visual analysis of the core and are supplemented by information from binocular and smear slide analyses. The sediment classification largely follows ODP/IODP convention. Lithological names consist of a principal name based on composition, degree of lithification, and/or texture as determined from visual description and microscopic observations. In the structure column the intensity of bioturbation together with individual or special features (turbidites, volcanic ash layers, plant debris, shell fragments, etc.) is shown. The hue and chroma attributes of color were determined by comparison with the Munsell soil color charts and are given in the color column in the Munsell notation. A GretagMacbethTM Spectrolino spectrophotometer was used to measure percent reflectance values of sediment color at 36 wavelength channels over the visible light range (380-730 nm) on all of the cores. The digital reflectance data of the spectrophotometer readings were routinely obtained from the surface (measured in 1 cm steps) of the split cores (archive half). The Spectrolino is equipped with a measuring aperture with folding mechanism allowing an exact positioning on the split core and is connected to a portable computer. The data are directly displayed within the software package Excel and can be controlled simultaneously. From all the color measurements, for each core the red/blue ratio (700 nm/450 nm) and the lightness are shown together with the visual core description. The reflectance of individual wavelengths is often significantly affected by the presence of minor amounts of oxyhydroxides or sulphides. To eliminate these effects, we used the red/blue ratio and lightness.

Abundance of mesozooplankton in the Mediterranean Sea in August and September 2008 during SES_GR2

The SES_GR2_Mesozooplankton dataset is based on samples taken during August-September 2008 in Ionian Sea, Libyan Sea, Southern Aegean Sea and Northern Aegean Sea. Sampling volume was estimated by the net mouth surface and the towing distance for WP-2. The sample was split on board in two halves by using the beaker approach. The first sub-sample was immediately fixed and preserved in a seawater formalin solution containing about 4% buffered formaldehyde to allow the determination of species composition abundance. Pipette for the subsamples used in the taxonomic analysis of zooplankton under binocular microscope.

Abundance and biomass of mesozooplankton in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in March and April 2008 during SES_GR1

The dataset is based on samples taken during March-April 2008 in Libyan Sea, in Southern Aegean Sea and in Northern Aegean Sea. Sampling volume was estimated by the net mouth surface and the towing distance for WP-2. Taxon-specific mesozooplankton abundance and total abundance: The sample was split on board in two halves by using the beaker approach. The first sub-sample was immediately fixed and preserved in a seawater formalin solution containing about 4% buffered formaldehyde to allow the determination of species composition abundance. Pipette for the subsamples used in the taxonomic analysis of zooplankton under binocular microscope.