Dataset: Measured and calculated geochemistry values and uncertainty for water samples taken from the water column of Celestun Lagoon, Yucatan, Mexico in May of 2015

Location: Celestún Biosphere Reserve, Yucatan, Mexico.   20.88 N 90.36 E depth 0.5 m.
Collection: Data collected from dinghy. No vessel name. June 2009 and May 2015.

Water samples from 2015 were filtered (0.45 um) and analyzed for salinity, pH, and elemental concentrations. Analytical methods involved MC-ICPMS for boron and strontium isotopes, with careful sample preparation, including microsublimation for δ11B, Sr-spec resin for 87Sr/86Sr, and isotope ratio mass spectrometry for δ18O and δ13C. Elemental concentrations (B, Mg, Ca) and sediment organic matter were analyzed using ICPMS and elemental analyzer IRMS. Reproducibility was verified using established standards.

Additional methods citations:

Boron isotope method: Wang et al. (2020).
Strontium isotope method: Liu et al. (2012).
pH and borate equations: Foster et al. (2016).
Organic carbon in sediments. Modified to use chilled sulfuric acid with sonication to ensure complete decarbonation: Verardo et al. (1990).

Related dataset descriptions (See section "Related Datasets" for data citations):

The water sample data in this dataset were collected concurrently with the May 2015 sampling event in BCO-DMO dataset https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/941327 which contains isotope data, elemental concentrations, and carbon content collected from the foraminifera Ammonia parkinsoniana and sediments in Celestun Lagoon, Yucatan, Mexico in June 2009 and May 2015.

This study and Paytan (2021, BCO-DMO dataset https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/564766) both derive groundwater from the same regional aquifer in Yucatan, Mexico, and both studies review the effects of low-pH springs on saturation and calcification of organisms. They are different sample material.

The sediment cores and assemblages in Hardage et al.​Hardage et al. (2021, doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2011.10.050) at NOAA provide the sample material for the geochemistry reported in this study (foraminifera, bulk sediment, physical observations). The Hardage et al. (2021) dataset also contains additional lithology and geochemistry that can be paired with these new data for interested parties.

Instrument and equipment list:

LDPE bottles: water samples were collected in acid-washed LDPE bottles for trace metals.
rubber septum glass vials: water samples were collected in ashed glass bottles for nutrients.
Piston, Bolivia, Livingstone corers: coring devices used to collect sediments.
0.5 mL micro-centrifuge tubes: used to store crushed foraminifera for cleaning.
Yellow Springs Instrument Model 63 handheld sonde and pH probe.
Neptune multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICPMS).
Lachat QuikChem 8000.
UIC Carbon Coulometer Analyzer.
Orion 950 Titrator.
Thermo Scientific Element XR ICPMS.
ThermoFinnigan Delta Plus XP isotope ratio mass spectrometer.
Kiel IV Carbonate Device.
ThermoScientific MAT-253 dual-inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometer.
Carlo Erba elemental analyzer IRMS.