Dataset for: Natural and anthropogenic oil impacts on benthic foraminifera in the southern Gulf of Mexico

Sediment samples were collected in Campeche Sound in the southern Gulf of Mexico aboard R/V Justo Sierra cruise from 2004-05-17 to 2004-06-05 to study the impacts of oil-related activities on the seafloor. A total of 62 samples were collected from 13 to 1336 meters of water depth. The most abundant species showed signs of oil pollution, but it is unknown if the contamination is from natural or anthropogenic sources. Organic carbon and total hydrocarbon concentrations were measured, and an increase was found around oil platforms, natural seeps and just offshore of major rivers. Metal concentrations of Cadmium, Copper, Nickel, Barium, Arsenic, and Chromium were also measured and above the threshold effect level, indicating that these areas may be of ecological concern. This dataset supports the publication: Machain-Castillo, M. L., Ruiz-Fernández, A. C., Gracia, A., Sanchez-Cabeza, J. A., Rodríguez-Ramírez, A., Alexander-Valdés, H. M., … Hollander, D. J. (2019). Natural and anthropogenic oil impacts on benthic foraminifera in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Environmental Research, 149, 111–125. doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.06.006