In the present dataset we provide absolute abundance of total coccolithophore assemblage (Total N) and of the main taxa as # coccoliths/g *107. Slides for coccolithophore analysis were prepared following Flores and Sierro (1997). Quantitative analyses were performed at University of Bari, Italy, using a polarized light microscope at 1000× magnification. Abundances were determined by counting at least 500 coccoliths of all sizes.