Secondary dataset on experimentally-derived marine phytoplankton responses to dust loads and dust-derived trace metal additions

This secondary dataset compiles experimental findings from previously published incubation, microcosm, and mesocosm studies investigating the effect of dust deposition, and the trace metals released from dust, on marine phytoplankton growth, physiology, and community composition. The dataset is organised into two related tables, reflecting the two principal experimental approaches used across the source literature: studies that manipulated whole dust addition (Table 1; 97 entries), and studies that isolated and manipulated the concentration of an individual dust-derived trace metal (Cu, Cd, Zn, Mn, Fe or Pb, reported in nM; Table 2; 57 entries). The entries were compiled from 20 published studies (2012 – 2023). Dust doses in Table 1 are mostly reported in mg L⁻¹; a few are given as the total dust mass added to a mesocosm or as a volume of dust leachate, as reported in the source study. For each entry, the dataset records the geographic origin and hemisphere of the phytoplankton/seawater used, the source and location of the dust employed (where the two differ, as is common in proxy-dust experiments), the applied dust or metal dose, a structured summary of the reported phytoplankton response (e.g. changes in chlorophyll-a, cell abundance, or photophysiological indices such as Fv/Fm, by taxonomic group where specified), and a classification of that response as positive, neutral, negative or mixed. A free-text field retains experimental context not captured by the standardised fields, such as experimental duration, treatment design (e.g. single versus repeated dust addition), and sampling dates. Data were extracted directly from the text, tables, and figures of each cited publication. Response descriptions are summarised in the authors’ own terminology as reported in the source study. The full bibliographic reference for each entry is provided in a separate sheet for each table, and in a combined reference list, cross-referenced by author and year. File structure: Sheet 1 – “ReadMe”: how to use the data, including a data dictionary for both tables. Sheet 2 – “Table1 Dust loads”: experiments manipulating whole dust addition. Sheet 3 – “Table1 References”: full citations for Sheet 2. Sheet 4 – “Table2 Metal Content”: experiments manipulating individual dust-derived trace metal concentrations (nM). Sheet 5 – “Table2 References”: full citations for Sheet 4. Sheet 6 – “All References”: combined reference list for both tables.