Benthic foraminiferal carbon isotope (δ13C) record from ODP Site 202-1240 across the Mid-Pleistocene Transition

This dataset contains measurements of the carbon isotopic composition of benthic foraminifera from ODP Site 202-1240. The benthic foraminifera were picked from 1-cm thick sediment slices sampled at 5-cm intervals between 66.22 and 91.1 meters composite depth (Mix et al., 2003). Samples were dried at 45ºC, wet sieved through a 63 µm mesh sieve using tap water and then dried. Between 2 and 3 individuals of well-preserved Uvigerina senticosa Cushman, 1927 from the 250-350 µm fraction were used for isotopic analysis. When individuals of Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi (Schwager, 1866), Cibicidoides spp., Cibicides spp. were available, between 1 and 6 specimens from the >250 µm fraction were picked for isotopic measurements and referred as to "epibenthic" group. The carbon isotopic measurements were carried out using an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS), Finnigan-MAT 252, coupled to a Carbon Kiel-III preparation device at the Scientific and Technological Centre of the University of Barcelona (CCiT-UB). The instrument was calibrated with two internal standards RC-1 (δ13C=2.83‰) and CECC (δ13C=-20.77‰) which are referenced to the international reference standards NBS18 and NBS19. The long-term reproducibility of the internal standards is better than 0.08‰. Isotopic values are expressed in per mil Vienna Pee Belemnite (VPDB). Isotopic data are reported on both depth, and age scales which range from 737 to 1059 kyr. See doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.996859 for information about the age model construction.