Pleistocene benthic stable isotopes and and age-depth model from the Agulhas Plateau Composite (APcomp)

The Agulhas Plateau composite (APcomp) is a stratigraphic framework made up of sediment core sites MD02-2588 (41 19.90'S, 25 49.7'E, 2907m) and IODP Site U1475 (41 25.6'S, 25 15.6'E, 2669m). Stable isotope measurements were performed on 2-3 Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi specimens (250-315μm size fraction) and made on a Thermo Finnigan MAT 253 mass spectrometer linked online to a Carbo Kiel carbonate preparation device at Cardiff University with long-term precision of ±0.05‰ for δ18O and ±0.021‰ for δ13C (±1σ). Results are calibrated to an internal laboratory standard (BCT63) and presented relative to the Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite scale. IRD is defined as detrital mineral grains (excluding volcanic ash) >150μm. IRD is normalized to sample weight (IRD concentration in #/g) and then multiplication by apparent bulk mass accumulation rate derived from estimates of dry bulk density and linear sedimentation rate.