Benthic foraminifera stable isotope data for the Mossy Grove sediment core

Sample preparation for benthic foraminiferal stable-isotope analyses: Sediment amples were prepared and analyzed at Kochi University. Samples were washed through a 63 μm screen with Calgon in tapwater, and the residue was dried at 50 °C. Specimens of U. jacksonensis were picked from the >150 µm fraction of the residues, and were found to be present in 38 sediment samples. The specimens are well-preserved appearing transparent to translucent in color under the light microscope (Figure S2). Using a Keyence VHX-2000 digital microscope and a JEOL JSM-6500F scanning electron microscope, the preservation of examined specimens was assessed. The light microscopic image is focus stacking. To extend this record down core, a further five samples were prepared at the University of Birmingham. These samples were dried in a low-temperature oven at 40°C for approximately one week in order to obtain a dry bulk sediment weight and then washed over a 63 µm sieve with de-ionised water. The coarse fraction (>63 µm) was dried in the oven and then dry sieved at 250-300 µm and individuals of the infaunal benthic foraminifera genus Uvigerina picked (wherever possible U. jacksonensis was selected). Any sample with more than two individuals was analyzed for stable isotopes (>10 µg). The stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope analysis of five benthic foraminiferal samples prepared at the University of Birmingham were performed at the British Geological Survey, Keyworth, UK on a dual inlet, gas source, isotope ratio mass spectrometer. The carbonate analysis method involves reacting the carbonate sample with anhydrous phosphoric acid to liberate CO2. All data are reported against Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite standard (VPDB). Calibration of the in-house standard with NBS-19 shows the analytical precision is < ±0.01‰ for both isotope ratios. For the 38 benthic foraminifera samples prepared at Kochi University, we used a Finnigan MAT253 mass-spectrometer system with a Kiel III carbonate device in the Center for Advanced Marine Core Research/Kochi Core Center (CMCR/KCC), Kochi University. Between 2–7 individuals were measured in each sample and were cleaned at least three times, using milli-Q and methanol in a sonic bath. NBS-19 and ANU-m2 were used as stable isotopes standards. The precisions of the measurements (1σ) were 0.18‰ and 0.08‰ for δ13C and δ18O respectively, calculated using 24 repeat measurements of the standard.