DeepCCZ bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA gene community surveys from Clarion-Clipperton Zone APEIs

Bacterial and archaeal communities were sequenced from the water column, sediments, and polymetallic nodules in three Areas of Particular Environmental Interest (APEIs) in the western Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ). APEIs are intended to serve as ecological reserves against anticipated future nodule mining in the region; this project aimed to establish a background census of biodiversity in these poorly studied reserves across many taxonomic levels. This dataset also includes resequenced samples from the Abyssline01 and Abyssline02 cruises that characterized biodiversity in potential mining claim areas of the eastern CCZ.