ADCP and CTD Data from Gulf of Mexico Deep Banks Cruise

ADCP, CTD, Marks, and Cruise Track data were collected during the R/V Pelican cruise PE13-14 from November 15-17, 2012. The cruise targeted hard banks and deep waters west of the Mississippi River delta, extending east to offshore Alabama. Data likely contains in situ measurements of seawater properties, currents, and associated biological samples from 18 stations.

Use Cases

• Analyzing 3D water current velocities based on ADCP data
• Studying salinity and temperature profiles from CTD casts
• Mapping cruise tracks and station locations for spatial analysis of the sampling area
• Investigating relationships between physical oceanography (e.g., pressure, seafloor depth) and biological communities (macroalgae, macrocrustaceans)

Strengths

• Data is associated with a specific, well-documented research cruise (R/V Pelican PE13-14) with a clear time range (2012-11-15 to 2012-11-17)
• Covers a defined geographic area in the Gulf of Mexico (roughly 27°58'N to 29°26'N and 87°34'W to 91°01'W)
• Appears on multiple authoritative platforms (Data.gov, NASA Earthdata), indicating established provenance

Limitations

• Key metadata is missing or conflicting: row counts, file sizes, and specific column names are not provided by any source
• The 'last updated' date differs significantly between platforms (2012 vs. 2026), creating uncertainty about data currency
• Descriptions are repetitive and sparse, suggesting limited documentation or annotation

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce

Collection Method

Sampling aboard the R/V Pelican cruise PE13-14, using instruments including ADCP, CTD, and a Multiple Instrument Data Acquisition System (MIDAS)

Time Range

2012-11-15 to 2012-11-17

Freshness

2026-03-06 00:16:19.646165

Geography

Northern Gulf of Mexico, west of the Mississippi River delta to offshore Alabama, USA