Multi-parameter sediment geochemistry, grain size, and biogeochemical data from the Central-Southern Adriatic Sea (PERTRE Cruise, 2016)

Study ScopeThis dataset originates from the PERTRE research cruise (16 September–4 October 2016), which investigated sediment properties across the Central and Southern Adriatic Sea. The study aimed to characterize spatial variations in sediment geochemistry, grain size, organic/inorganic carbon fractions, heavy metal content (e.g., mercury), and biogeochemical parameters to assess environmental conditions and sediment transport dynamics in a key Mediterranean basin.Materials and MethodsSampling: 107 surface sediment samples (0–5 cm depth) were collected using a box corer (10 × 17 × 25 cm) along transects perpendicular to the Italian coast (starting from Ancona to Santa Maria di Leuca). Geochemical Analyses: Mercury (Hg): Quantified via thermal decomposition amalgamation atomic absorption spectrometry (Milestone DMA-1), validated against certified reference material PACS-2 (accuracy: 98.3%).Carbon Fractions: Total carbon (TC), inorganic carbon (TIC), and organic carbon (TOC) measured using a Shimadzu TOC-VCPH analyzer with SSM-5000A module. TOC derived from TC–TIC difference. Major/Trace Elements: SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, P₂O₅, LOI (loss on ignition), and 31 trace elements (e.g., As, Ba, Ce, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, Zr) analyzed. Physical Properties: Grain Size: Wet sieving (sand/gravel fraction >62.5 µm) and X-ray Sedigraph (pelitic fraction Biogeochemical Parameters: pH, redox potential (Eh), water content (%), organic matter (OM; via weight loss on ignition at 500°C). Dataset DescriptionsFull DatasetFormat: CSV, GeoPackage, ShapefileSamples: 107 stationsParameters (52 columns):Location: Sample ID, longitude (WGS84), latitude (WGS84), depth (m). Grain Size: %Gravel, %Sand, %Silt, %Clay, 12 phi classes (φ_10). Biogeochemistry: pH, Eh (mV), %Water, % OM, TOC (%), TIC (%), TC (%), N (%), % SO. Elemental Composition:Major Oxides: SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, P₂O₅ (%).Trace Elements (mg/kg): As, Ba, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Ga, Hf, Hg, La, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pb, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Sn, Sr, Th, U, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr.Reduced DatasetFormat: CSV, GeoPackage, ShapefileSamples: 107 stationsParameters (34 columns):Location: Sample ID, longitude (WGS84), latitude (WGS84).Geochemistry:Major Oxides: SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, P₂O₅ (%), LOI (%).Trace Elements (mg/kg): As, Ba, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, La, Nb, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sc, Sn, Sr, Th, V, Y, Zn, Zr.Key Features for RepositorySpatial Coverage: Central/Southern Adriatic Sea (Italian EEZ).Temporal Coverage: September–October 2016.Unique Attributes: First high-resolution Hg/TOC correlation data in Adriatic sediments, integrated grain size–geochemistry profiles.Reuse Potential: Baseline for climate change studies, pollutant monitoring, sediment transport modeling, and ecological risk assessments.FAIR Compliance: Georeferenced data (WGS84), parameter-specific methodologies, QC documentation.