The present data set includes 268,127 vertical in situ fluorescence profiles obtained from several available online databases and from published and unpublished individual sources. Metadata about each profiles are given in the file provided here in further details. The majority of profiles comes from the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) and the fluorescence profiles acquired by Bio-Argo floats available on the Oceanographic Autonomous Observations (OAO) platform (63.7% and 12.5% respectively).Different modes of acquisition were used to collect the data presented in this study: (1) CTD profiles are acquired using a fluorometer mounted on a CTD-rosette; (2) OSD (Ocean Station Data) profiles are derived from water samples and are defined as low resolution profiles; (3) the UOR (Undulating Oceanographic Recorder) profiles are acquired by a equipped with a fluorometer and towed by a research vessel; (4) PA profiles are acquired by autonomous platforms (here profiling floats or elephant seals equipped with a fluorometer). Data acquired from gliders are not included in the compilation.

Supplement to: Sauzède, Raphaëlle; Lavigne, Héloïse; Claustre, Hervé; Uitz, Julia; Schmechtig, Catherine; D'Ortenzio, Fabrizio; Guinet, Christophe; Pesant, Stephane (2015): Vertical distribution of chlorophyll a concentration and phytoplankton community composition from in situ fluorescence profiles: a first database for the global ocean. Earth System Science Data, 7(2), 261-273