This dataset contains the total organic carbon content of sediments from ODP Site 202-1242. Bulk sediment samples were dried at 45°C, ground and homogenized using a zircon ball mill. We calculated the weight percentage of sedimentary total organic carbon (% TOC) as the difference between the total weight percentage of carbon and the carbon content of an aliquot of the sample measured after being heated at 400ºC for 3 hours to remove organic carbon. The weight percentage of carbon was measured using a macro elemental analyzer LECO CNS2000.