CTD cast data from the R/V Meg L. Skansi captures oceanographic conditions in the Gulf of Mexico during September 2010. The Subsurface Monitoring Unit collected profiles of water density, salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. These quality-assured measurements document the marine environment's physical and chemical state in the immediate aftermath of a major environmental disaster.
Use Cases
- Analyze correlations between CDOM fluorescence and salinity to trace freshwater plumes or hydrocarbon dispersion.
- Model water density stratification using concurrent temperature, salinity, and hydrostatic pressure profiles.
- Assess dissolved oxygen levels relative to temperature and depth to identify potential hypoxic conditions post-spill.
- Calibrate sound velocity models using measured temperature, salinity, and pressure data from the CTD instrument.
Strengths
- Data underwent quality assurance and control procedures by the National Coastal Data Development Center.
- Includes 8 distinct oceanographic parameters (e.g., CDOM fluorescence, conductivity, dissolved oxygen).
- Collected over a focused 10-day period (2010-09-04 to 2010-09-13) for a specific event response.
Limitations
- Sample size and spatial coverage are limited to a single vessel cruise over 10 days.
- Data is from 2010, providing a historical snapshot but not current conditions.
- Unknown row count and file format details limit immediate assessment of data volume and structure.
Provenance
- Source
- Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU), collected via NOAA NCEI (Accession 0069076).
- Collection Method
- Profile data collected from CTD casts, a fluorometer, and an oxygen meter aboard the R/V Meg L. Skansi.
- Time Range
- 2010-09-04 to 2010-09-13
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Gulf of Mexico