Carbon Properties of Sediment Cores from the Southern Ocean and Wider Polar Front

This dataset presents a harmonised collection of sediment carbon measurements from over 2,000 cores collected across the Southern Ocean and Southern Hemisphere (wider polar front), south of 49 degrees. The dataset was compiled to enable quantitative assessments of sedimentary carbon stocks and identify regional hotspots and cold spots of blue carbon, as well as pinpointing trends and gaps in data collection. Drawing on published literature, data repositories, cruise archives, and correspondence with researchers, the compilation addresses longstanding fragmentation and inconsistency in sediment carbon reporting. The database includes measurements of total organic and inorganic carbon (TOC, TIC/CaCO3), and where possible some contextual biological information such as porosity, grain density and grain size. Additionally, where possible, data is georeferenced and cited (inclusive of access links) and further complimentary metadata is provided. The dataset may provide a key resource for future conservation planning, carbon accounting, and potentially climate modelling in polar marine ecosystems.
This project was funded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) grant number GB096001.