Nutrient and cell count data from incubations conducted with methylcyclohexane or methylcyclopentane on samples collected from the Gulf of Mexico during June 2015 on R/V Atlantis cruise AT29-02

Hydrocarbon incubations were conducted with water collected from 1000 meters depth in the Gulf of Mexico across four stations during cruise AT29-02 on the R/V Atlantis. Sample collection occurred June 16-17, 2015. Each incubation was injected with 10 microliters of methylcyclohexane (MCH) or methylcyclopentane (MCP). Each incubation was monitored for oxygen content using remote optical oxygen sensors. After we observed a respiration signal, we sacrificially harvested each bottle for cell counts, nutrients, and DNA. Incubation time varied from 10-31 days. These data were used to assess who consumes these compounds in the deep Gulf of Mexico, over what time frame, and what metabolic pathways bacteria use to consume them.