EMODnet Chemistry aims to provide access to marine chemistry data sets and derived data products concerning eutrophication, ocean acidification and contaminants. The chemicals chosen reflect importance to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). This regional aggregated dataset contains all unrestricted EMODnet Chemistry data on contaminants (59 parameters), and covers the North Sea with 34978 CDI records divided per matrices: 3909 biota time series, 28071 water profiles, 2998 sediment profiles. Vertical profiles temporal range is from 1970-02-17 to 2017-10-26. Time series temporal range is from 1979-02-26 to 2017-02-28. Data were aggregated and quality controlled by ‘Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Marine Ecology Roskilde from Denmark. Regional datasets concerning contaminants are automatically harvested. Parameter names in these datasets are based on P01, BODC Parameter Usage Vocabulary, which is available at: http://seadatanet.maris2.nl/bandit/browse_step.php . Each measurement value has a quality flag indicator. The resulting data collections for each Sea Basin are harmonised, and the collections are quality controlled by EMODnet Chemistry Regional Leaders using ODV Software and following a common methodology for all Sea Regions. Harmonisation means that: (1) unit conversion is carried out to express contaminant concentrations with a limited set of measurement units (according to EU directives 2013/39/UE; Comm. Dec. EU 2017/848) and (2) merging of variables described by different “local names” ,but corresponding exactly to the same concepts in BODC P01 vocabulary. The harmonised dataset can be downloaded as ODV spreadsheet (TXT file), which is composed of metadata header followed by tab separated values. This worksheet can be imported to ODV Software for visualisation (More information can be found at: https://www.seadatanet.org/Software/ODV ). The same dataset is offered also as XLSX file in a long/vertical format, in which each P01 measurement is a record line. Additionally, there are a series of columns that split P01 terms in subcomponents (measure, substance, CAS number, matrix...).This transposed format is more adapted to worksheet applications users (e.g. LibreOffice Calc). The 59 parameter names in this metadata record are based on P02, SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary, which is available at: http://seadatanet.maris2.nl/v_bodc_vocab_v2/vocab_relations.asp?lib=P02 . Detailed documentation will be published soon. The original datasets can be searched and downloaded from EMODnet Chemistry Download Service: https://emodnet-chemistry.maris.nl/search

This dataset contains information on the abundance & biomass of infauna found in sediment grab samples carried out in Belfast Lough as part of a mussel (Mytilus edulis) bed stock assessment and Crepidula (Crepidula fornicata) survey in September 2012. The main aim of the survey was to assess the stock of mussel beds in Belfast Lough and to survey the Crepidula population in Belfast Lough. The infaunal surveying was carried out using a 0.1m2 day grab and a 1mm sieve. Samples were taken at 50 stations over 5 days in September in 2012- abundance & biomass were recorded and infauna were identified to species level where possible. Particle size analysis & Carbon and Nitrogen analysis was also carried out at each station. The most abundant species found and most frequently recorded was the polychaete Melinna palmata.

This dataset contains information on infaunal abundance & biomass from sediment grab samples and video tows carried out off the coast of Fair Head (Co. Antrim) on the FPV Banríon Uladh (now Queen of Ulster). This survey was carried out to provide a benthic baseline for a potential offshore windfarm development site in May 2014. The main aim of this survey was to undertake a baseline assessment of the species & biotopes found in the area of interest. The survey comprised of 26 video stations and 10 grab stations (3 repeats per station) with 24 samples retained for infaunal analysis- the abundance & biomass was recorded. Particle size analysis (PSA) was also carried out but due to low success rate of grab samples, only 4 samples were appropriate for this analysis. The most abundant infauna found was Ascidiacea.

This dataset contains information on infaunal abundance and biomass from sediment grabs from the Western Irish Sea collected in 2014 and 2015 from the RV Corystes. This survey was carried out to assess the presence, extent and the condition of subtidal mud habitats in the Western Irish Sea. A 0.1m2 day grab was used to obtain the sediment and infaunal samples. In total there were 85 grab samples taken and this was also supplemented with underwater video tows of the area for nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) but this information is not included in this dataset. Particle Size analysis (PSA) of the sediment was also carried out along with Carbon & Nitrogen (C & N) analysis. The most abundant species found was the Bivalve Abra alba and the most frequently recorded species was the Bivalve Abra nitida.

This dataset contains presence/absence information of infaunal bycatch from seed mussel stock (Mytilus edulis) assessment surveys off the Outer Ards Peninsula in Northern Ireland. The seed mussel survey is carried out each year and this particular dataset contains the bycatch information from initial ground truthing (dredge) on these surveys from 2017-02 to 2018- 07.

This dataset contains information on the abundance of benthic infauna species from sediment grabs collected from the South East Mourne Coast off Co. Down (Northern Ireland). This survey is part of a large project called INIS Hydro which aims to provide high resolution seabed baseline data for the coast of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland using multibeam echosounders and grab samples for ground truthing. This survey was carried out in February 2011 on the RV Corystes using a 0.1m2 day grab. There were 47 grab samples taken in which infaunal analysis, Particle Size Analysis (PSA) and and Carbon & Nitrogen (C&N) analysis were carried out. The most abundant species found was the brittle star Amphiura filiformis and the most frequently recorded was the polychaete Lumbrineris cingulata.

This dataset contains information on infaunal abundance and biomass from sediment grabs taken off the coast of the Ards Penninsula, Northern Ireland in 2014 & 2016. This survey was carried out to contribute to a larger project to assess the status and extent of Modiolus modiolus biogenic reefs in this area. The biogenic reefs were in an unfavourable condition even though this Annex 1 habitat was the reason for the designation of the Strangford Lough Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This survey was carried out on board the RV Corystes using a 0.1m2 day grab. The infaunal communities were identified and weighed, particle size analysis and carbon & nitrogen analysis were carried out on the samples. In total there were 36 samples taken (only 30 could be analysed for infauna). The most abundant species recorded was the tunicate Dendrodoa grossularia and the most frequently recorded species was the mollusc Leptochiton asellus.

This dataset contains information on the presence and absence of bycaught infaunal species from Crepidula fornicata surveys in Belfast Lough from 2013 to 2017 on board the Fisheries Protection Vessel, Banríon Uladh (renamed in 2016 to Queen of Ulster). The surveys were carried out each year in late September and early October (each over 2 days of surveying). It is important to note that this dataset contains bycatch information and this was not the key aim of the survey. The C.fornicata survey is carried out to routinely monitor the extent of the breeding population of C.fornicata (non-native in Northern Ireland) to enable policies to be put in place to minimise the spread of non-native fauna. In the years 2013-2015, a small oyster dredge was used to collect samples, in 2016 and 2017 a small AFBI naturalist dredge was used. In total over the 4 years, 278 samples were collected for identification & analysis. The most frequently recorded species was the gastropod Philine aperta.

This dataset contains information on infaunal abundance & biomass from sediment grabs in Belfast Lough as part of a larger & ongoing habitat mapping project. The sediment & infaunal survey was carried out in January 2018 by AFBI and this dataset was integrated into the larger mapping project since 2012. The project is joint with the British Geological Society and Belfast Harbour with the aim of mapping the seabed floor and updating it from more historical information.

This dataset contains information on infaunal abundance and biomass from sediment grab samples off the Co. Down coast in Northern Ireland as part of an Essesntial Fish Habitat (EFH) project. Essential Fish Habitat is defined as “those waters & substrata necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding or growth to maturity” and these can help to form a basis for the designation of Marine Protected Areas such as Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). This survey was carried out on the RV Corystes in 2012 and 2013 off the Co. Down coast using a 0.1m2 day grab. In 2012 there were 88 samples taken. In 2013 there were 48 samples. Infaunal analysis, Particle Size Analysis (PSA) and Carbon & Nitrogen analysis were carried out on all samples.