Hydrocarbon And Fluorescence Measurements From Deepwater Horizon Spill Response

Chemical oceanographic data, including Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) and fluorescence, were collected aboard the RYAN CHOUEST in the Gulf of Mexico from June 9 to 16, 2010. The Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU), a multi-agency group, gathered this data in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill using instruments like fluorometers and gas chromatographs. This provisional dataset also includes analysis products like charts, maps, and GIS files created for real-time decision support.

Use Cases

• Analyze Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) concentration gradients over the one-week sampling period to model spill dispersion.
• Correlate fluorescence measurements with TPH data to calibrate sensor arrays for hydrocarbon detection.
• Use geospatial data from cruise products (charts, maps, GIS files) to map the extent of subsurface chemical plumes.
• Assess provisional hydrocarbon sensor data for quality and integration into long-term environmental baselines.

Strengths

• Data collected during a critical one-week period immediately following a major environmental disaster.
• Includes multiple measurement types: chemical (TPH), optical (fluorescence), and derived geospatial products.
• Gathered by a coordinated multi-agency response unit (SMU) for standardized collection.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage is limited to 8 days in June 2010, providing only a short-term snapshot.
• Data is described as raw and provisional, indicating it may lack full quality control or calibration.
• Specific sample counts, column details, and data formats are not provided in the description.

Provenance

Source

Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU) and NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).

Collection Method

Collected via shipboard instruments including fluorometers and gas chromatographs during a dedicated response cruise.

Time Range

2010-06-09 to 2010-06-16

Freshness

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Geography

Gulf of Mexico, specifically the area of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.