Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) measurements of seafloor sediments collected aboard multiple cruises in the northern Gulf of Mexico from 2010-07-26 to 2014-06-28

This dataset contains gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) measurements of seafloor sediments collected aboard multiple cruises in the northern Gulf of Mexico from 2010-07-26 to 2014-06-28. These 112 samples were selected based on the information available in the NOAA DIVER database, including location, depth, total extractable hydrocarbon amount, and the time of sample collection. The sediment samples were frozen in glass jars after collection. Upon request, a portion of the original frozen sediments was provided. The samples were then freeze-dried, processed, and the organic material was extracted. This was then separated into the aromatic and saturate fraction using cold extraction methods. The samples were then analyzed via GC-MS using an Agilent 5975C MSD system interfaced to an Agilent 7890A gas chromatograph. All steps of this process were carried out by a single individual in the same batch, eliminating any variations in techniques or processes between samples and any variations that can occur over time due to temporal drift of the instrument’s measurements. This is an issue when samples are measured years apart and then compared to each other, potentially resulting in an inaccurate comparison. Based on the results of the GC-MS, a subset of 30 samples was selected to undergo analysis via FTICR-MS atmospheric pressure photoionization modes (APPI). Based on the results of the APPI analysis, a subset of 23 samples was selected to be analyzed using FTICR-MS electrospray ionization negative (ESIn). The dataset contains results of those three analyses, in addition to a list of all 212 compounds measured and a detailed explanation of the extraction technique employed.