Bottom Water Temperature and Salinity in the St. Lawrence Gulf 2014-2023

24 layers of gridded temperature and salinity data for bottom waters in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, produced via 3D interpolation on a 1km x 1km grid. The dataset includes annual layers from 2014 to 2023, plus climatology and anomaly layers, derived from multidisciplinary surveys and CTD data sampled in August and September. Data collection is managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada as part of long-term resource monitoring.

Use Cases

• Analyze annual temperature and salinity anomalies for the years 2014-2023 to identify climate trends in the estuary.
• Model the spatial distribution of bottom water salinity using the 1km x 1km gridded climatology layers.
• Correlate environmental conditions from the survey data with independent fisheries abundance datasets for ecosystem studies.
• Validate regional oceanographic models using the interpolated temperature grids from the August-September sampling period.

Strengths

• Contains 24 distinct data layers providing structured annual and climatological views.
• Data is derived from standardized multidisciplinary surveys conducted since 1971 and 1990, ensuring methodological consistency.
• Spatial interpolation is performed on a fine 1km x 1km grid, offering detailed geographic resolution.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage is limited to August and September sampling each year, missing seasonal variability.
• The 3D interpolation process may smooth out local extremes present in the original CTD cast data.
• Primary data sources are focused on specific survey tracks, potentially leaving gaps in spatial coverage for some areas.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Collection Method

3D interpolation of CTD and survey data from annual multidisciplinary missions, following standardized protocols.

Time Range

2014 to 2023 for annual layers, with survey programs dating back to 1971/1990.

Freshness

Data is updated annually, with the latest records extending to 2023.

Geography

Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, including shallow waters.