Oceanographic Data from Gulf of Mexico Following Deepwater Horizon Spill

NOAA Ship PISCES collected chemical, physical, and profile oceanographic data in the Gulf of Mexico from July 5 to August 14, 2010. Measurements include CDOM fluorescence, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, and water density in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Subsurface Monitoring Unit gathered this data using instruments like CTDs, fluorometers, and oxygen meters.

Use Cases

• Modeling the dispersion of oil constituents by analyzing correlations between CDOM fluorescence, salinity, and temperature.
• Predicting dissolved oxygen levels from conductivity, temperature, and hydrostatic pressure measurements using regression techniques.
• Classifying water mass profiles or identifying anomalous conditions post-spill based on combined conductivity, temperature, and density data.
• Analyzing temporal trends in sound velocity and water density to assess changes in the water column structure over the 41-day cruise.

Strengths

• Data collection spans a 41-day period following a major environmental event.
• Includes multiple core oceanographic parameters like CDOM fluorescence, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and temperature.
• Underwent preliminary quality assurance and control procedures at the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC).

Limitations

• Sample size and spatial resolution are unknown from the provided description.
• Data is from a single cruise in 2010, limiting temporal analysis to that specific post-spill period.
• Cruise-level documentation (reports, videos) is noted but its integration with the numerical data is unclear.

Provenance

Source

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), collected by the Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU).

Collection Method

Data gathered aboard NOAA Ship PISCES using CTD, fluorometer, oxygen meter, and other physical sampling devices.

Time Range

2010-07-05 to 2010-08-14

Freshness

null

Geography

Gulf of Mexico