| Summary: | Baffin Bay, Texas is a predominantly hypersaline estuarine system with frequent fluctuations in water quality and algal blooms. Stable isotope samples (for analysis of δ13C and δ15N) were collected to better understand trophic dynamics within the system, particularly in relation to Black Drum (Pogonias cromis), a commercially important benthic predator. Black Drum were collected through partnerships with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and commercial anglers. Other fish species (Red Drum, Atlantic Croaker, Spotted Seatrout, and Sheepshead) were sampled opportunistically on one occasion. Macroinfauna and sediment organic matter were collected quarterly using benthic coring. Suspended particulate organic matter was also sampled quarterly via surface water samples. Collections were completed over a wide range of salinity conditions from April 2015 to August 2017. Stations in the Baffin Bay were assessed for the entire study period, and 2 stations in the more hydrologically stable Laguna Madre were added in 2015 for comparison. Sites in the Laguna Madre were characterized by the presence of seagrass, while the bottom-type in the Baffin Bay is primarily bare sediment. These data were collected as part of a larger study to assess trophic functioning of Baffin Bay, particularly resource availability for the commercially important Black Drum (Pogonias cromis). Quantitative macrofaunal community analyses were also conducted, and those data are available under GRIIDC Unique Dataset Identifier (UDI) HI.x846.000:0001 (DOI: 10.7266/ZNMDE1P0). This dataset supports the publications: Breaux, N., Lebreton, B., Palmer, T. A., Guillou, G., & Beseres Pollack, J. (2019). Ecosystem resilience following salinity change in a hypersaline estuary. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 225, 106258. doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2019.106258; and Rubio, K. S., Ajemian, M., Stunz, G. W., Palmer, T. A., Lebreton, B., & Beseres Pollack, J. (2018). Dietary composition of black drum Pogonias cromis in a hypersaline estuary reflects water quality and prey availability. Journal of Fish Biology, 93(2), 250–262. doi:10.1111/jfb.13654. This dataset was funded by the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries program, Texas Sea Grant, and the Harvey Weil Sportsman Conservation Program.
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