Gulf of Mexico CTD Profiles Following Deepwater Horizon Spill

Profile data from 31 CTD casts aboard the R/V BUNNY BORDELON measured water column properties in the Gulf of Mexico from May 31 to June 2, 2010. The Subsurface Monitoring Unit, a multi-agency group, collected this data in direct response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Measurements include CDOM fluorescence, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, and water density.

Use Cases

• Correlate CDOM fluorescence and dissolved oxygen measurements to map potential subsurface hydrocarbon plumes.
• Analyze salinity and temperature profiles to understand water mass structure and mixing during the spill event.
• Model sound velocity from conductivity, temperature, and pressure data for acoustic applications in spill monitoring.
• Calculate water density anomalies from the CTD data to study stratification and potential vertical oil transport.

Strengths

• Data collected over a focused 3-day period immediately following a major environmental event.
• Includes 8 core physical and chemical parameters (e.g., CDOM, DO, salinity) per profile.
• Underwent quality assurance and control procedures by the National Coastal Data Development Center.

Limitations

• Limited temporal coverage to a single 3-day cruise, providing only a snapshot of conditions.
• Spatial coverage is restricted to the specific cruise track of the BUNNY BORDELON in the Gulf of Mexico.
• Unknown sample depth resolution and total number of profiles beyond the stated 31 casts.

Provenance

Source

Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU), collected for NOAA NCEI (Accession 0069116).

Collection Method

In-situ measurements from CTD casts, fluorometer, and oxygen meter aboard a research vessel.

Time Range

2010-05-31 to 2010-06-02

Freshness

Data is from 2010 and represents a historical snapshot; no ongoing updates are expected.

Geography

Gulf of Mexico, specific cruise track of the R/V BUNNY BORDELON.