Abstract. Stable nitrogen isotope records preserved in marine sediments provide critical insights into Earth's climate history and biospheric evolution. Although numerous studies have documented nitrogen isotope (δ15N) records for various geological systems (Archean to Recent) and paleogeographic settings, the scientific community remains constrained by the absence of a standardized database to systematically investigate their spatiotemporal evolution. Here, we present the database of Deep-time Sediment Nitrogen Isotopes in Marine Systems (DSMS-NI), a comprehensive global compilation of δ15N data and associated geochemical parameters, spanning a vast collection of sediment samples dating from the Recent to the Archean. This database encompasses 70 854 δ15N records derived from 417 publications, systematically organized with 31 metadata fields categories (e.g., chronostratigraphic ages, coordinates, lithology, metamorphic grade, sedimentary facies, references) encompassing 1 999 226 metadata. This repository further incorporates 130 proxy data fields, including 281 215 geochemical data spanning total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and organic carbon isotopes (δ13Corg), major and trace elements and iron species. These integrated parameters enable evaluation of sample fidelity and factors influencing δ15N signatures. The DSMS-NI database will facilitate research for key geological intervals such as the Permian/Triassic boundary and the Cretaceous oceanic anoxic events (OAEs). Researchers can leverage temporal and paleogeographic information, alongside geochemical data, to conduct spatiotemporal analyses, thereby uncovering changes in deep-time marine nitrogen cycles and paleoenvironmental conditions. The database is open-access via the Geobiology portal (https://geobiologydata.cug.edu.cn/, last access: 30 April 2025), allowing users to access data and submit new entries to ensure continuous updates and expansion. This resource represents a vital foundation for studies in paleoclimate, paleoenvironment, and geochemistry, offering essential data for understanding long-term Earth-system processes. The data files described in this paper are available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15117375 (Du et al., 2025a).
Du et al. (Tue,) studied this question.