Population, morphological characteristics and CaCO3 production of planktonic foraminifera at Site U1486 since ~46ka

The Shell flux flie contains planktonic foraminiferal flux data. Planktonic foraminiferal shell flux (tests cm−2 kyr−1) refer to the absolute number of exported foraminiferal shells per unit area per unit time. The Shell area file contains mean individual shell silhouette area data.

The silhouette area was measured by using images taken at a known magnification with a Leica S9D microscope and integrated image analysis software (LAMOS Pro). The Shell area density file contains mean individual area density area data. The mean area density is the ratio of the shell weight (µg) to its silhouette area (µm2), and is representative of calcification density.

Shells were weighed using a Sartorius MSA6.6S-0CE-DM microbalance (precision <1 μg). The Shell MAR file contains planktonic foraminiferal mass accumulation rate data. Shell MAR (mg cm−2 kyr−1) refer to the dry mass of exported foraminiferal shells per unit area per unit time.

This dataset encompasses 18 planktonic foraminiferal species (> 150 μm), including Globigerinoides ruber, Neogloboquadrina dutertrei, Globigerinita glutinata, Pulleniatina obliquiloculata, Trilobatus sacculifer, Trilobatus trilobus, Globigerina falconensis, Globigerina bulloides, Globigerinella siphonifera, Globorotalia tumida, Globorotalia menardii, Globorotalia ungulata, Globigerinella calida, Globigerina rubescens, Globigerinoides tenellus, Globorotalia crassaformis, Globigerinoides conglobatus and Orbulina universa.