Interactive comment on “The Malina oceanographic expedition: How do changes in ice cover, permafrost and UV radiation impact biodiversity and biogeochemical ﬂuxes in the Arctic Ocean?”

the some a list

of all variables measured and the corresponding scientist whose lab carried out the measurements. I downloaded the compiled data file from SEANOE and it is very easy to follow. I confirmed that the raw UVP5 large particulate data and images are available from the Ecotaxa website at Villefranche. I also confirmed that the code for the manuscript and figures is readily available at the zenodo.org website.

Comment C1
The article is itself appropriate to support the publication of the MALINA data set. However, I could not find the metadata for each variable listed in Table 1. The manuscript lists the current address of the person(s) shown on Table 1 for each variable in case of questions about the protocol used; however, after a few years, it is very probable that the address will no longer be valid. The text sometimes indicates the published manuscript that describes the sampling protocol used for that variable, but it is not done in a consistent manner for each variable.  Table 1 the publication(s) and/or metadata where the respective sampling method details are described for the measurements of every single parameter listed in Table 1. In one place. Instead of having to find it several years later, if one is lucky. This would be a GREAT service to all future data users/chasers! Answer A1

C2
The reviewer raises an important point here. It is to be noted that a sentence in section 6 (Code and data availability) is already pointing out toward the LEFE-CYBER website which contains all the metadata information: The raw data provided by all the researchers, as well as metadata, are available on the LEFE-CYBER repository (http://www.obsvlfr.fr/proof/php/malina/x_datalist_1.php?xxop=malina&xxcamp=malina).
We however agree with the recommendation of providing more information on the metadata and the methodological details associated with each measured variable. Table 1 will be modified to add and refer the readers toward existing MALINA publications that provide in-depth methodological information for the measured variables.

Comment C2
With respect to the answers to the following questions: "Are error estimates and sources of errors given (and discussed in the article)? Are the accuracy, calibration, processing, etc. state of the art? Are common standards used for comparison?" These answers are NOT in the current text. They are likely in the MALINA manuscripts which are too many for this reviewer to cross check. I leave this decision to the Editor. The MALINA data set is incredibly significant for Arctic Ocean researchers (empiricists and especially modelers)-it is incredibly unique, of extremely high quality for a field-collected data set and very, very useful, and -I assume-complete.

Answer A2
We agree that providing detailed information about the accuracy and calibration processes are important. However, it would be cumbersome to provide such information for all the measured parameters. The readers will be invited to consult the additional list of references provided in answer A1 (Table 1) where each specific MALINA research paper is likely to provide such information.

C3
The manuscript is sufficient as written to explain the data set, List 1 is superb (though it will be complete with the associated publication that describes the sampling or analytical protocol used) and the figures are good. Not sure all the figures are necessary; they are one fig showing the spatial distribution of several but not all the variables measured.

Answer A3
For the associated publications, this was addressed in answers A1 and A2. As for the figures, we decided to present a rapid overview of what we considered the basic and most important parameters in relation to the main objectives of the MALINA research project. We are happy to reconsider the choice of the figures if the editor or the reviewers have specific queries.

Comment C4
Finally, "By reading the article and downloading the data set, would you be able to understand and (re-)use the data set in the future?" => Absolutely!! Answer A4 Thank you very much for this comment! Interactive comment on Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2020-252, 2020.