Macroinfaunal biomass analysis in shallow water habitats around the Chandeleur Islands in 2015 and 2016

Biomass measurements of benthic macroinfauna were measured in conjunction with field-deployed sediment oxygen demand chambers at four sites on the Chandeleur Sound side of the Chandeleur Islands in the Fall and Summer of 2015 and 2016. Cores (15 cm diameter, 15 cm depth) were collected after each sediment oxygen demand measurement was completed in the field, and additional cores were collected for infauna only (with no SOD measurement; either 10 or 15 cm diameter; 15 cm depth). Each sediment core was sieved using 0.5 mm mesh. Each sample was preserved in 95% ethanol and Rose Bengal stain. All organisms that were alive upon collection and therefor stained were picked out using a dissecting microscope, and placed into separate vials with 95% ethanol for preservation. Animals were identified to lowest taxonomic classification possible and biomass was calculated. Taxa were grouped into biomass categories which reduced errors in analyses for interpretation of sediment oxygen demand data. These data are associated with the datasets: Sediment oxygen demand in shallow water habitats around the Chandeleur Islands in 2015 and 2016 (GRIIDC dataset R4.x262.000:0006), Macroinfaunal abundance in shallow water habitats around the Chandeleur Islands in 2015 and 2016 (GRIIDC dataset R4.x262.000:0010), and Macroinfaunal functional group analyses in shallow water habitats around the Chandeleur Islands in 2015 and 2016 (GRIIDC dataset R4.x262.000:0011).