Dataset: Contextual data for samples collected for metagenome sequencing from the deep subseafloor biosphere as accessed via CORKs along the Juan de Fuca Ridge flank in the Northeast Pacific Ocean between 2008 and 2014

Samples were collected from the Northeast Pacific Ocean along the Juan de Fuca ridge flank, off of the continent of North America. CORK observatories are on the seafloor at a water column depth of approximately 2660 meters. CORKs are located in the general vicinity of 47.75 lat, -127.76 lon. Samples were collected during the following R/V Atlantis cruises:

2008 cruise: AT15-35, James Cowen (Chief Sci)
2009 cruise: AT15-51, Andrew Fisher (Chief Sci)
2010 cruise: AT15-66, James Cowen (Chief Sci)
2011 cruise: AT18-07, Andrew Fisher (Chief Sci)
2013 cruise: AT26-03, Andrew Fisher (Chief Sci)
2014 cruise: AT26-18, Geoff Wheat (Chief Sci)

Deep subseafloor basement crustal fluids were collected from boreholes fitted with CORKs (subseafloor borehole observatory systems) along the Juan de Fuca Ridge flank, which are located at a water column depth of approximately 2,650 meters (m) and penetrate through sediment and into the igneous basement. The CORKs fitted to these boreholes feature fluid delivery lines that access fluids at different depth horizons. Custom sampling equipment enabled the pumping of borehole fluids directly through 0.22 micrometer (µm) pore-size polyethersulfone filters or filter cartridges at the seafloor. DNA was extracted directly from the filters using either phenol-chloroform or commercially available kits, as specified in the sample log. Genomic DNA was submitted to the Joint Genome Institute for sequencing.

Sampling used custom-designed equipment: the Medium Volume Bag Sampler (MVBS), Large Volume Bag Sampler (LVBS), and In Situ Passive Viral Filter.