Raw data acquired by a thermosalinograph (SBE21, SeaBird GmbH) on board RV HEINCKE were processed to receive a calibrated and validated data set of seawater temperature and salinity. Data were downloaded from DAVIS SHIP data base (https://dship.awi.de) with a resolution of 1 sec. The SBE21 was equipped with an additional external temperature sensor (SBE38, Sea-Bird GmbH). Raw data are converted to temperature and conductivity values using the calibration coefficients from the calibration before deployment. However, data can only be finally processed after replacement and renewed calibration because correction values for the sensor drift can only be obtained by the post cruise calibration. The thermosalinograph on board RV HEINCKE is exchanged about once a year and calibration procedures are conducted after every exchange. Salinity was calculated according to the instructions from the Practical Salinity Scale PSS-78 using the obtained internal temperature and conductivity data. Processed data are provided as 1min means of salinity and seawater temperature aligned with position data taken from master track of the respective cruise. Quality flags are appended according to the SeaDataNet Data Quality Control Procedures (version from May 2010).

Raw data acquired by position sensors on board RV Heincke during expedition HE632 were processed to receive a validated master track which can be used as reference of further expedition data. During HE632 the inertial navigation system IXSEA PHINS III and the GPS receivers Trimble Marine SPS461 and SAAB R5 SUPREME NAV were used as navigation sensors. Data were downloaded from DAVIS SHIP data base (https://dship.awi.de) with a resolution of 1 sec. Processed data are provided as a master track with 1 sec resolution derived from the position sensors' data selected by priority and a generalized track with a reduced set of the most significant positions of the master track.

Raw data acquired by position sensors on board RV Heincke during expedition HE632 were processed to receive a validated master track which can be used as reference of further expedition data. During HE632 the inertial navigation system IXSEA PHINS III and the GPS receivers Trimble Marine SPS461 and SAAB R5 SUPREME NAV were used as navigation sensors. Data were downloaded from DAVIS SHIP data base (https://dship.awi.de) with a resolution of 1 sec. Processed data are provided as a master track with 1 sec resolution derived from the position sensors' data selected by priority and a generalized track with a reduced set of the most significant positions of the master track.

The long-term ecological research benthic monitoring comprises four representative permanent stations (SSd, Slt, FSd and WB) that have been sampled countinuously since 1969. The four stations are representative for the different benthic communities in the German Bight. Inter-annual variability and possible long-term trends were analysed based on spring-time samples since 1969. Earlier datasets have been published in the publication series https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.667646. Macrozoobenthos of soft-bottom benthic community was collected by van-Veen grabs. This dataset contains the continuation of this time series with the samples collected in spring between 2012 and 2015 each year in the North Sea, German Bight. Data for each campaign comprise four stations in the German Bight, sampled by grab samples (infauna). Biodiversity data of species include abundance (count data) and biomass (wet mass, g) per sample.

The long-term ecological research benthic monitoring comprises four representative permanent stations (SSd, Slt, FSd and WB) that have been sampled countinuously since 1969. The four stations are representative for the different benthic communities in the German Bight. Inter-annual variability and possible long-term trends were analysed based on spring-time samples since 1969. Earlier datasets have been published in the publication series https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.667646. Macrozoobenthos of soft-bottom benthic community was collected by van-Veen grabs. This dataset contains the continuation of this time series with the samples collected in spring between 2016 and 2019 each year in the North Sea, German Bight. Data for each campaign comprise four stations in the German Bight, sampled by grab samples (infauna). Biodiversity data of species include abundance (count data) and biomass (wet mass, g) per sample.

The long-term ecological research benthic monitoring comprises four representative permanent stations (SSd, Slt, FSd and WB) that have been sampled countinuously since 1969. The four stations are representative for the different benthic communities in the German Bight. Inter-annual variability and possible long-term trends were analysed based on spring-time samples since 1969. Earlier datasets have been published in the publication series https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.667646. Macrozoobenthos of soft-bottom benthic community was collected by van-Veen grabs. This dataset contains the continuation of this time series with the samples collected in spring between 2001 and 2011 each year in the North Sea, German Bight. Data for each campaign comprise four stations in the German Bight, sampled by grab samples (infauna). Biodiversity data of species include abundance (count data) and biomass (wet mass, g) per sample.

The hydrolytic degradation of biodegradable and conventional plastics by the gastric fluid of the edible crab Cancer pagurus were assayed in-vitro with pH Stat titration. Suspensions of different microplastics were incubated with gastric fluid at 15 °C in artificial seawater. Rates of hydrolysis, as determined by counter-titration with a diluted base (NaOH), was recorded for two hours. The gastric fluid was separated by anion exchange chromatography into 65 fractions. Again, three pools of fractions were tested for their hydrolytic potential with a plastic based on polylactic acid at 30°C. Enzyme assays with fluorogenic substrates were performed with each of the 65 fractions of the gastric fluid. Methylumbelliferone derivatives of fatty acid esters (MUF-butyrate, MUF-heptanoate and MUF-oleate) were used as substrates in buffer at different pH ranging from 5 to 9 and at a temperature of 25°C. The increase in fluorescence was measured with a microplate reader. Analogously, the effect of a detergent (sodium dodecyl sulfate) on the enzymatic activity was measured. All measurements were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions.

Bio-degradation assays were performed for bio-based plastics under environmentally relevant temperature between 5 and 30 °C using pH Stat titration. Suspensions of bio-based microparticles were incubated with different hydrolytic enzymes, a lipase from Candida antarctica, an esterase from Bacillus subtilis and a protease from Bacillus licheniformis. Rates of hydrolysis, as determined by counter-titration with a diluted base (NaOH), was recorded for two hours. The thermal profiles of plastic hydrolysis by all three enzymes were investigated. All measurements were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions.

Data on infauna and sediment characteristics were collected as part of an extensive research program on the effects of offshore wind turbines on the marine environment funded by the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency. The investigations were performed in the first German offshore wind farm alpha ventus in the German Bight (North Sea). The overall aim of the program was to evaluate the German national standard concept for environmental impact assessments for offshore wind farms. Specifically, our study addressed the potential changes of the infauna communities in different distances from single turbines in an early stage of the operational phase of the wind farm. The data were collected during the cruises HE296 (2008), HE313 (2009), HE340 (2010) and HE369 (2011) of the German research vessel RV HEINCKE. Infauna samples were taken with van Veen grab samples (sampling area: 0.1 m2, weight: 95 kg) inside the wind farm and in two reference sites outside the wind farm. Three replicate samples were taken at each station. The samples were sieved through a 1 mm mesh and species of the macro-infauna were determined to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Sub-samples of the sediments were fractionated in a cascade of sieves of different mesh sizes to determine the grain size distributions. The organic contents of the sediments were determined as weight loss on ignition. The dataset comprises 11,400 count and biomass records for 103 infaunal taxa (89 % on species level, 11 % others) from 528 samples. Sediments were characterised for 176 van Veen grabs.

Data on infauna and sediment characteristics were collected as part of an extensive research program on the effects of offshore wind turbines on the marine environment funded by the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency. The investigations were performed in the first German offshore wind farm alpha ventus in the German Bight (North Sea). The overall aim of the program was to evaluate the German national standard concept for environmental impact assessments for offshore wind farms. Specifically, our study addressed the potential changes of the infauna communities in different distances from single turbines in an early stage of the operational phase of the wind farm. The data were collected during the cruises HE296 (2008), HE313 (2009), HE340 (2010) and HE369 (2011) of the German research vessel RV HEINCKE. Infauna samples were taken with van Veen grab samples (sampling area: 0.1 m2, weight: 95 kg) inside the wind farm and in two reference sites outside the wind farm. Three replicate samples were taken at each station. The samples were sieved through a 1 mm mesh and species of the macro-infauna were determined to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Sub-samples of the sediments were fractionated in a cascade of sieves of different mesh sizes to determine the grain size distributions. The organic contents of the sediments were determined as weight loss on ignition. The dataset comprises 11,400 count and biomass records for 103 infaunal taxa (89 % on species level, 11 % others) from 528 samples. Sediments were characterised for 176 van Veen grabs.