3D X-ray computed tomography gray value and age model datasets of coral cores Baler 2 and 3 (Philippines)

Abstract

The datasets here contain the 3D X-ray computed tomography (3DXCT) gray values and age models of coral cores Baler 2 and 3, taken from Baler, Aurora, Philippines. 3DXCT was used to analyze 5 mm-thick slabs of the coral cores. From the resulting 3DXCT images, gray values were determined per pixel from top to bottom of the slabs. The gray value profiles across the length of the slabs were then matched with records of sea surface temperature (SST) of the Baler site to construct the age model of the coral cores. Daily SST records from October 2018 to February 1982 were from the Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature or OISST [1,2], while monthly SST records from February 1982 to May 1945 were from the Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature or ERSST [3]. The gray value datasets of coral cores Baler 2 and 3 present historical records of the corals' response to changing environments through the years and may be used in studies related to such. An example of this can be seen in the relationship between coral gray values and SST. Furthermore, the age model datasets of Baler 2 and 3 serve as the basis for interpretation for all current and future studies on these coral cores. These datasets were originally produced for the research work titled “A historical record of the impact of nuclear activities based on 129I in coral cores in Baler, Philippines: an update” [4].

Keywords

• Coral core
• 3D X-ray computed tomography
• Sea surface temperature
• Age dating
• Philippines