Dear Dr. Palmer and Co-Workers,

both of your referees value your dataset (despite the missing standard live/dead staining technique with Bengal Rose) and consider it a valuable contribution to science. However, both raised major issues with the manuscript that warrant a major revision. Some of these issues include:

- Lack of appropriate literature review on similar studies in OMZs
- Lack of definitions of introduced terms
- Lack of proper nomenclature using a plate or (at a minimum) appropriate citations

I understand from your responses that you will be able to address these issues. I advise you to follow the suggestions of the referees closely and invite you to submit a thoroughly revised manuscript. The revised manuscript will be send back to the referees for a second review.

Let me know in case you have any questions
Best
Tina Treude

Dear Dr. Palmer,
Based on the report of two reviewers, the editor handling your manuscript, Tina Treude, has recommended major revisions. I agree with that decision and I invite you to prepare a revised version of your work that takes into account all the comments of the two reviewers and the recommendations made by Tina Treude.
Thank you so much for your efforts,
Kind regards,
Marilaure Grégoire

Dear Dr. Palmer and Co-Workers,

one of the previous reviewer took a look at your revised manuscript and is overall pleased with the revision. There are only a few minor suggestions for improvements.

Please incorporate these suggestions as good as you can and upload both your point-by-point answers to the reviewer and a revised (track-changes) manuscript. It will then go through a quick editor review (done by myself).

All the best and and be safe!
Tina

Dear Hannah Palmer,
The revised version of your work has been analyzed by the reviewer who is satisfied and has some additional minor comments. Therefore, Tina Treude, the editor handling your manuscript recommends a minor revision of your work. Please see Tina’s comments.
Thank you for your efforts,
Kind regards,
Marilaure Grégoire

Dear Hannah Palmer and co-authors,

The revised version of your work has been analyzed by Tina Treude, the editor handling your manuscript. Tina finds that you have addressed all the last comments that remained and recommends publication of your work. Therefore, we are pleased to accept your manuscript for publication in Biogeosciences.

Thank you so much for your cooperation,

Kind regards,

Marilaure Grégoire