Coccolithophore assemblage data from sediment core GeoB5546-2 off the coast of NW Africa spanning the past 45 ka. The assemblage data were used to assess changes in biodiversity and assemblage composition during the past 24 ka, i.e., from the Last Glacial Maximum to the current warm period covering the last deglaciation.
Samples were analysed at 4-10 cm intervals and were prepared using a combined dilution/filtering technique as described by Andruleit (1996, doi:10.2307/1485964). Between 50 and 100 mg of dry bulk sediment was brought into suspension using demineralized water buffered with ammonia (pH ~ 8.5-9). The suspension was ultrasonicated for 15 to 30 s, split (split factor = 100) using a rotary splitter and filtered onto polycarbonate membrane filters (0.4 µm pore size) using a vacuum pump. Samples were dried at 40°C for 24 h before ~1x1 cm filter aliquots were mounted on an aluminium stub that was prepared with electroconductive, self-adhesive, carbon-based discs (PLANO Leit tabs). The mounted samples were sputtered with gold/palladium in a Polaron SC7640 Sputter Coater.
Coccolith counts (N) were made manually using a Zeiss DSM 940A scanning electron microscope at 3,000x and 5,000x magnification. Where possible, a minimum of 300 coccoliths were counted. In some samples fewer coccoliths were counted due to low abundances. Sample mass (m), magnification, split factor (k) and the area of the scanned transect (A) and the filter (F) are given for all samples to allow calculation of the concentration of coccoliths per gram of dry bulk sediment, which was calculated using: (FN)/(kA*m).
Coccolithophore taxonomy follows Young et al. (2003, doi:10.58998/jnr2297). Species not reported in the data are assumed to be absent (that is, zero abundance). Two subspecies of Calcidiscus leptoporus were distinguished: Calcidiscus leptoporus subsp. quadriperforatus and Calcidiscus leptoporus subsp. leptoporus. Counts of unidentified and reworked specimens are given. In samples greater or equal to 4.53 m depth, Umbilicosphaera sibogae is included in the Umbilicosphaera foliosa column.
The chronology of the time series presented here was revised using the same approach as in the PALMOD 130k marine palaeoclimate data synthesis V1.1 (Jonkers et al., 2020, doi:10.5194/essd-12-1053-2020). It is based on radiocarbon ages measured on the planktonic foraminifera G. bulloides and planktonic foraminifera δ18O isotope data (Holzwarth et al., 2010, doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.03.013) calibrated to the NGRIP ice core δ18O record.
