Dataset of macrobenthic species, organic matter content and grain-size distribution in surficial seafloor sediments in outer continental shelf, pockmark fields and Capbreton canyon tributaries in the southeastern Bay of Biscay
Description
This dataset presents the macrobenthic species abundance and biomass in soft bottom areas located at southeastern Bay of Biscay. Data on organic matter content and grain-size distribution in surficial seafloor sediments is also provided. Samples were obtained with Shipek and Smith-McIntyre type grabs in several surveys carried out between 2010 and 2019, covering a range of depths of 32-1476 m. Abundance and biomass of macronbenthic species are given. This information contributes to the knowledge of the spatial variability in the composition of the soft-bottom macroinfauna in a transitional zone from the continental shelf to the tributaries of the Capbreton submarine canyon.
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Sediment samples were obtained with benthic grabs in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2019. Samples for macrofaunal analysis were sieved by 1 mm mesh size and preserved in formalin. Sediment samples were frozen. Laboratory analyses include identification of macrofaunal taxa with microscope, if needed. Sedimentological analysis was performed for the characterisation of particle size and organic matter content. The samples were taken with Shipek (0.04 m2) and Smith-McIntyre (0.1 m2) grabs. Acknowledgements: This research has been performed in the scope of the INTEMARES project. The LIFE IP INTEMARES project, is coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. It receives financial support from the European Union´s LIFE programme (LIFE15 IP ES 012 INTEMARES). Data acquisition was also supported by the projects: “demersal ecosystem campaign of the Basque platform with special attention to Capbreton”, “research campaign on the fishing ecosystem on the Basque coast” and “definition and development of ecosystem management in Basque waters”. All of them funded by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Directorate of the Basque Country Government. We would like to thank Sociedad Cultural Insub for identifying the benthic samples.