This dataset contains Radium (Ra) and Iron (Fe) concentrations along with supporting oceanographic measurements such as temperature and salinity of the water column. Data are from glacial melt waters around the West Antarctic Peninsula and Greenland as well as from the open southern ocean and at hydrothermal vents along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The data were collected for the Radium in Changing Environments: A Novel Tracer of Iron Fluxes at Ocean Margins (RaCE:TraX) project. The RaCE:TraX project is running between June 2017 and June 2022 and uses measurements of Radium (Ra) and Iron (Fe) along with knowledge of the half-life of Ra to predict supply and removal rates of Fe in the marine environment. The results hope to answer the questions 1) how much Fe comes from continental shelf sediments, 2) how much Fe is supplied by glacial meltwater, and 3) how rapidly is Fe scavenged from the metal-rich fluids at hydrothermal vents? Addressing these key gaps in the understanding of the marine Fe cycle will help determine how sensitive marine systems are to current Fe supply, as well as predict the impacts of changes in Fe supply on phytoplankton health, the biological pump, and global climate. The project is led by the University of Southampton School of Ocean and Earth Science and is a collaboration with the University of Bristol. The project received funding from the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC, grant reference number: NE/P017630/1).

Coastal flooding caused by extreme sea levels can produce devastating and wide-ranging consequences. The ‘SurgeWatch’ v1.0 database systematically documents and assesses the consequences of historical coastal flood events around the UK. The original database was inevitably biased due to the inconsistent spatial and temporal coverage of sea-level observations utilised. Therefore, we present an improved version integrating a variety of ‘soft’ data such as journal papers, newspapers, weather reports, and social media. SurgeWatch2.0 identifies 329 coastal flooding events from 1915 to 2016, a more than fivefold increase compared to the 59 events in v1.0. Moreover, each flood event is now ranked using a multi-level categorisation based on inundation, transport disruption, costs, and fatalities: from 1 (Nuisance) to 6 (Disaster). For the 53 most severe events ranked Category 3 and above, an accompanying event description based upon the Source-Pathway-Receptor-Consequence framework was produced. The database contains 57 files: 1 XLSX file, 54 PDF files and 1 CSV file. The first file is a spreadsheet (XLSX) containing the list of all 329 coastal flood events in the database categorised according to the severity scale that we devised. The second and third files are PDF documents containing the short commentaries for all Category 1 and 2 events. There are an additional 53 PDF files containing the longer event commentaries for events ranked Category 3 and higher. A final CSV file contains the digitised storm tracks for the 53 Category 3 and higher events. Each of these files is self-describing and is accompanied by extensive metadata. SurgeWatch v2.0 provides the most comprehensive and coherent historical record of UK coastal flooding. It is designed to be a resource for research, planning and management and education. Haigh et al. (2017) provides more detail. Collation of the database and the development of the website was funded through a Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) impact acceleration grant. The database contributes to the objectives of UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) consortium project FLOOD Memory (EP/K013513/1).

The dataset combines fluorescent time-lapse sediment profile imaging (f-SPI) and diffusion gradient thin gels (DGT) to examine, in situ, the link between an important benthic ecosystem process (bioturbation) and ecosystem functioning (trace metal cycling) in Loch Creran, Scotland. The dimensions of the fg-SPI faceplate were 15x21.5cm (=322.50cm2), but after subtraction of the area occupied by the two DGT gels (=74cm2) the field of view reduces to 9x21.5cm (=248.5cm2). The camera (Nikcon D100, 2000 x 3000 pixels = 6 megapixels effective resolution = 75x75um per pixel) was set to an exposure of 1/60 f=2.0 and film speed equivalent to ISO 400. For each time-lapse sequence images were taken every 5 minutes for a period of 96h (n=1152 images per deployment). Three time-lapse movies are presented here to accompany Teal et. al. 2012 Biogeosciences. Data produced by Dr Lorna Teal (Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies, IJmuiden), Dr Ruth Parker (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science), and Dr Martin Solan (National Oceanography Centre, Southampton).

This dataset consists of measurements of underway meteorology, navigation and sea surface hydrography. A survey of the Caribbean Sea around Montserrat was undertaken from 03 to 16 December 2007. Data were collected on RRS James Cook cruise JC018. Navigation data were collected using an Applanix POSMV system and meteorology and sea surface hydrography were collected using the NMF Surfmet system. Both systems were run through the duration of the cruise, excepting times for cleaning, entering and leaving port, and while alongside. These cruises formed the field component of NERC project "The impact of submarine diagenesis of tephra on seawater chemistry". The objective of the research was to test the hypothesis that early diagenetic alteration of recent, subaerial, volcanogenic material in the submarine environment has a significant impact on the global biogeochemical cycle. A secondary objective was to map the distribution of volcanogenic material in the upper 1 metre of sediments around the island of Montserrat. The Discovery Science project was composed of Standard Grant reference NE/D004020/1 as the lead grant with child grant NE/N001125/1. The grant ran from 24 July 2007 to 23 December 2009 and is held by the University of Southampton, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences. The project was led by Professor Martin Ralph Palmer with co-investigators Professor Damon Andrew Teagle and Professor Rachel Ann Mills. The underway discrete salinity samples data and the underway navigation, meteorology and sea surface hydrography data have been received by BODC as raw files from the RRS James Cook. No further data are expected from this cruise.

The dataset contains 3D wide-angle seismic data from 18 ocean bottom nodes (OBXs) collected during RRS James Cook cruise JC254 in November 2023. The data were acquired at the 1330 Oceanic Core Complex and the Semenov Hydrothermal Field region of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 13°30'N, and were shot in six sequences (SEM4A to SEM4F), along 15 profiles in total. Two GI-guns were used as seismic sources, each with a total volume of 355 cubic inches (250 cu. inch generator, 105 cu. inch injector chamber. The data were recorded at a sampling rate of 2000 Hz, with a shot interval of 20 s at a ship speed of 4 knots, resulting in shot interval of ~30 m, with no stop during profile turns. The data are provided in raw SEGY format, cut into four components (three geophone channels and one hydrophone channel). This dataset was collected to derive a seismic velocity structure of the 13°30'N Oceanic Core Complex (OCC). The aim was to investigate the crustal or mantle lithologies in the 13°30'N OCC and to understand the interplay between tectonic faulting, magmatism, alteration and hydrothermal circulation at the ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal systems along slow-spreading ridges. The data were collected as part of a NERC-funded strategic research project called 'Ultramafic-hosted mineral Resource Assessment (ULTRA)', grant reference NE/S004068/1. The data were processed and interpreted as part of a PhD studentship hosted by the University of Southampton, awarded to Szu-Ying Lai, and funded by Equinor A.S, Norway.

Two laboratory experiments were conducted at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton from June 2021 - April 2022 to investigate intraspecific variability in functional trait expression in marine bioturbating benthic invertebrate fauna. The macroinvertebrate species Amphiura filiformis, Amphiura chiajei, Turritellinella tricarinata, Edwardsia claparedii, Sternapsis scutata, Paraleptopentacta elongata, Hediste diversicolor and Nephtys hombergii were collected from different locations around the UK (Plymouth, Oban and Newcastle) and in two different seasons. In laboratory experiments ranging in duration from 2 - 3 months we investigated how individual densities, season and future vs ambient climate treatments impacted functional bioturbation behaviour and ecosystem functioning (nutrients release and community respiration).

This dataset consists of measurements of 224Ra and macronutrients in core top water, porewaters and sediments, as well as calculated 224Ra and macronutrient fluxes (via 224Ra/228Th disequilibrium) from benthic incubations of replicate mesocosms containing selected benthic macrofauna. The experiments were conducted at the Biodiversity Ecosystem Futures Facility (BEFF lab) at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton during 2022. Sediment was collected from Rame Mud, Plymouth, and benthic organisms were collected from Rame Mud and from Loch Linhe, Scotland. For each incubation, homogenised, sieved (500 µm) sediment was added to a mesocosm to 10 cm depth, overlain by approximately 15 cm (approx. 1.3 L) seawater (0.45 µm filtered, UV sterilised, salinity 33), and left to settle for 24 hours before conducting a full water exchange. After water exchange, 1 individual of either Paraleptopentacta elongata , Edwardsia claparedii, Turritellinella tricarinata, or Amphiura chiajei was weighed and morphological measurements were taken before being added to the mesocosm. 3 replicates containing 1 individual were run for each species, in addition to 3 replicate control mesocosms containing no macrofauna. All mesocosms were continually aerated and maintained in a temperature-controlled water bath for 10 days under a 12:12h on/off light cycle. On days 4 and 8, 2.5ml of a mixed Phaeodactylum tricornutum: Tetraselmis suecica phytoplankton culture was added to all mesocosms. For a subset of mesocosms (mesocosms 14 and 15 ), daily water column nutrient samples (10 ml, 0.2 µm filtered) were taken ~5 cm below the water surface and frozen at -20°C for subsequent analysis. Experiments 1 & 2 were set up in the same manner, except that in experiment 2 only one species was included, but at higher replication (8 replicate mesocosms containing 1 individual each of E. claparedii + 1 control mesocosm). Water samples for macronutrient concentrations were analysed using a QuAAtro 39 autoanalyser (Seal Analytical) and samples for Ra activity were analysed using a Radium Delayed Coincidence Counter (RaDeCC) system.The work was conducted to quantify the influence of different species and individuals of benthic macrofauna on benthic flux, using 224Ra as a naturally occurring tracer of sediment-seawater exchange. For further information, please see the associated research paper doi: 10.1002/lno.70033

This dataset comprises the geochemical and mineralogical analysis of six samples of massive sulphide deposit. Three samples were obtained from seafloor massive sulphide (SMS) systems obtained during RV Celtic Explorer cruise CE11009 (Mid-Atlantic Ridge 45° N, 2011) and RRS James Cook cruises JC082 (Mid-Cayman Spreading Centre, 2013) and JC138 (Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 26° N, 2016). Three samples were obtained from land-based volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits on Wetar Island, Indonesia. It is thought these samples were obtained in 2002 at Kali Kuning and Lerokis Zones 4 and 5, but users should be aware there is little to no metadata about the Wetar Island sample origins. The sample analyses includes: (1) bulk geochemical analysis of sulphide samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for bulk and effluent analysis and inductively coupled plasma orbital emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), (2) petrographic descriptions of samples by reflective microscopy, (3) geochemical analysis of seawater samples during experiments by ICP-MS, (4) mineralogical analyses (X-ray Diffraction) of sulphide samples, (5) mineralogical analyses by Scanning Electron Microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) on sulphide grains, (6) SEM backscattered electron (BSE) images of reacted sulphide grains, and (7) surface areas determined by Brunauuer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis. All analyses were undertaken as part of a PhD project which aimed to enhance understanding of sulphide oxidation kinetics, the formation of Fe-oxyhydroxide from sulphide oxidation, its capacity to retain metals that would otherwise be lost to seawater in SMS systems, and the implications for potential seafloor mining operations. Analyses took place at the University of Southampton and the National Oceanography Centre Southampton, funded under the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) project Ultramafic-hosted mineral Resource Assessment (ULTRA) grant, NE/S004068/1. This collection consists only of the data collected under the PhD project and not all data associated with the ULTRA project.

As part of the the CHIMNEY project (NERC grant NE/N016130/1), multibeam bathymetry data were collected during RRS James Cook cruise JC152 to a subsea chimney structure in the northern North Sea around Scanner Pockmark in August-September 2017. Multibeam data were acquired using a Kongsberg EM-710 multibeam echosounder and processed by the JC152 Science Party. In conjunction with seismic profile data acquired on the same cruise, these data will help scientists understand the surface and internal structure and origin of the chimney structure. This will facilitate estimation of the permeability of the chimney and its surroundings, and enable leakage pathways to be determined. The potential for past oil and gas reservoirs and saline aquifers to be used as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) reservoirs of atmospheric CO2 can subsequently be explored. The safety of storing CO2 in such reservoirs is dependent on fully exploring the risks of any leakage via such chimney structures, which the CHIMNEY project will investigate. CHIMNEY is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and involves scientists from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton and the University of Edinburgh. Investigators will work closely with project partners GEOMAR, Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, CGG and Applied Acoustics. The project is complementary to the EU-funded Horizon 2020 project: Strategies for Environmental Monitoring of Marine Carbon Capture and Storage (STEMM-CCS).

This dataset consists of measurements of underway meteorology, navigation and sea-surface hydrography collected aboard RRS James Cook cruise JC156, which ran between Southampton and Guadeloupe from 20 December 2017 to 01 February 2018. Navigation data were collected using an Applanix POSMV system and meteorology and sea-surface hydrography were collected using the NMF Surfmet system. Both systems were run through the duration of the cruise, excepting times for cleaning, entering and leaving port, and while alongside. This cruise formed the field component of NERC Discovery Science project 'FRidge: The impact of mid-Ocean Ridges on the Ocean's Iron Cycle'. The main objectives of the project were to: 1. Document the changes in iron supply, cycling and speciation along the diverse hydrothermal systems of the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge. 2. Link observational science with state-of-the-art ocean modelling to assess the global influence of mid-ocean ridges on the ocean iron cycle and the sustenance of surface productivity. To deliver on these objectives, a research expedition to the Atlantic Ocean was carried out to measure trace metals, nutrients and ocean physics over and around the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Ultimately, this will be able to address the broader question of how the amount of iron from mid-ocean ridges can influence phytoplankton growth in the open ocean. The Discovery Science project was composed of Standard Grant reference NE/N010396/1 as the lead grant with child grant NE/N009525/1. The lead grant ran from 04 September 2017 to 03 March 2020, and was led by Professor Maeve Lohan of University of Southampton, School of Ocean and Earth Sciences. The child grant ran from 01 August 2017 to 31 August 2020, and was led by Dr Alessandro Tagliabue. The data from this project will be a part of the UK contribution to the international GEOTRACES programme. Research takes place along the GEOTRACES International Section GA13. The underway discrete salinity samples data and the underway navigation, meteorology and sea-surface hydrography data have been received by BODC as raw files from the RRS James Cook, processed and quality controlled using in-house BODC procedures and are available online.