IN2017_V01: Quantitative Diatom Species Counts from Antarctic Ocean Sediment Cores

Quantitative diatom data from the 2017 RV Investigator voyage IN2017_V01, collected from sediment cores in the Southern Ocean near the Totten Glacier. The dataset was generated by Amy Leventer and students at Colgate University, with samples processed using a standardized settling technique and counted under light microscopes. It includes station locations with longitude and latitude for multiple core samples.

Use Cases

• Reconstructing past sea ice extent and ocean conditions based on diatom species identified to the species level.
• Analyzing glacial-interglacial cycles by comparing diatom-rich and diatom-poor sediment layers mentioned in the description.
• Studying biostratigraphy and species extinction boundaries as referenced in the methodology.
• Mapping diatom distribution patterns using the provided station core longitude and latitude coordinates.

Strengths

• Data collection follows a documented methodology, referencing specific techniques like the Warnock and Scherer (2014) settling method.
• Counts were performed to a defined standard: a minimum of 400 valves or 10 transects per slide.
• Includes specific geographic coordinates for 11 station cores, such as A005_KC02_PC01 at 115.623°E, -64.471°S.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last updated 2017-03-05 23:59:59.999000; freshness should be verified.
• Row count and sample size for each core are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Generated by Amy Leventer and undergraduate students at Colgate University, based on samples from RV Investigator voyage IN2017_V01.

Collection Method

Samples collected from sediment cores, dried, and prepared as quantitative slides using a settling technique. Counts performed under light microscopes with identification to species level where possible.

Time Range

Covers samples from the 2017 research voyage; sediment cores likely span multiple glacial cycles.

Freshness

Last updated 2017-03-05 23:59:59.999000

Geography

Southern Ocean stations near the Totten Glacier, with coordinates ranging from approximately 115°E to 121°E and -64°S to -65°S.