Benthic infauna data from sediment cores collected aboard R/V Justo Sierra cruise JS-0815 in the southern Gulf of Mexico from 2015-08-03 to 2015-08-06

This dataset contains benthic infauna data from sediment cores collected aboard R/V Justo Sierra cruise JS-0815 in the southern Gulf of Mexico from 2015-08-03 to 2015-08-06. Samples were collected with multiple corers from 7 stations around the original Ixtoc-1 wellhead. Organisms were identified taxonomically, and their abundance was determined. Taxonomic richness, diversity, and evenness were calculated. The samples were analyzed to test for differences between stations and to estimate the recovery rate of the benthic community after an oil spill. Organisms were identified taxonomically. The dataset contains the location, date and hydrographic conditions at the sampling collection site; average meiofauna and macrofauna taxa abundance per replicate-section; and calculations for infauna abundance, diversity, richness and evenness. The total concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) for the core sections and cores was included. Additional information about the hydrocarbon concentration in these sediment cores can be found under GRIIDC Unique Dataset Identifier (UDI) R4.x267.179:0024. The complete hydrographic dataset related to these sediment cores can be found under GRIIDC UDI R4.x267.179:0019. The cruise documentation was provided for the R/V Justo Sierra cruise JS-0815. The cruise was led by chief scientists Dr. David Hollander and Dr. Patrick Schwing.