X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy analysis for major and minor trace elements in sediment samples from the west Antarctic Peninsula Shelf from JR15003.

This dataset contains concentrations of major and minor elements from upper sediment samples, collected at three Collaborative Gearing Scheme (CGS) stations along the West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) during cruise JR15003. Samples were collected by box coring, at the beginning of the ice-free season, between 25th and 28th December 2015. Sub-cores were taken from the box core for core sectioning, with the core sliced every 2 cm for sediment analysis. Sediment fractions were dried and prepared for major and minor element analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy at the School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh. Instrument performance was evaluated by measuring major and minor element composition of 20 internationally recognised standard materials BHVO-1, sTD-bEN, sTD-BCR for majors, and Cody Shale, Ohio Shale, Shale for minors according to Govindaraju (1994). Data were generated by Sian Henley and Nicholas Odling at the School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh. Data collection was funded by the NERC Independent Research Fellowship NE/K010034/1 entitled "Isotopic characterisation of nutrient dynamics and UCDW behaviour in the west Antarctic Peninsula sea ice environment". Additional analyses were funded by the School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh.