Dataset: Images and associated metadata of individually classified particles imaged and quantified in sediment trap gel layers collected on four research cruises conducted between 2015 and 2018

The classified particle images described in this dataset are extracted from gel micrograph images available as dataset 749412 (https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/749412) and further classified into categories. Refer to dataset 749412 for additional details on methodologies. In short:

Samples were collected on four research cruises:
-  at the New England shelf break aboard the R/V Endeavor on 3-7 November 2017 (EN572) and 13-18 June 2016 (EN581);
- on a transit between Honolulu, Hawaii and Portland, Oregon aboard the R/V Falkor between 24 January-20 February 2017 (FK170124);
- in the Subarctic North Pacific aboard the R/V Roger Revelle between 10 August and 12 September 2018.

Sediment trap collector tubes were deployed on various platform designs, including a neutrally-buoyant sediment trap (NBST), a surface tethered sediment trap (STST), and a Wire Walker (WW) trap.

Upon recovery, collection tubes were allowed to settle for at least 1 hour before the overlying water was siphoned off. Jars containing polyacrylamide gel were removed from trap tubes and the remaining overlying water was carefully pipetted off the gel. Gels were stored at 4 degrees C and imaged within the following 2 days before being stored at -80 degrees C. Polyacrylamide gel layers were imaged on a dissecting microscope (Olympus SZX16) with either a Luminera Infinity 2 or an Allied Vision Technologies StingRay camera attachment. Particles collected in gel layers during EN572 and EN581 were imaged under brightfield illumination. Particles collected in gel layers during FK170124 were imaged under both brightfield and oblique illumination, producing two separate sets of images for each sample.

Particles detected in gel image micrographs were manually sorted into distinct classes. Images are attached as two .tar.gz files.