Gulf of Mexico Oceanographic Data Collected After Deepwater Horizon Spill

Oceanographic data were collected in the Gulf of Mexico from May 26 to May 30, 2010, in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The dataset includes measurements of conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, CDOM fluorescence, and suspended solids. It was gathered aboard the R/V OCEAN VERITAS by the multi-agency Subsurface Monitoring Unit and processed by the National Coastal Data Development Center.

Use Cases

• Analyzing changes in water density and salinity to model subsurface oil plume dispersion.
• Correlating CDOM fluorescence and suspended solids measurements to track dissolved and particulate hydrocarbon constituents.
• Using conductivity, temperature, and hydrostatic pressure profiles to characterize the oceanographic conditions during the spill response.
• Assessing dissolved oxygen levels to evaluate potential impacts on marine ecosystems following the spill event.

Strengths

• Data collected over a focused 5-day period immediately following a major environmental event.
• Includes multiple sensor types: CTD, transmissometer, fluorometer, and oxygen meter for cross-parameter analysis.
• Underwent preliminary quality assurance and control procedures at the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC).

Limitations

• Temporal coverage is limited to a short 5-day window in May 2010.
• Geographic scope is confined to the specific cruise track of the R/V OCEAN VERITAS in the Gulf of Mexico.
• Sample data and specific row/column counts are unavailable for assessing dataset volume.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Data collected via shipboard CTD, LISST, transmissometer, fluorometer, and oxygen meter instruments during a dedicated research cruise.

Time Range

2010-05-26 to 2010-05-30

Freshness

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Geography

Gulf of Mexico (specific cruise track of R/V OCEAN VERITAS).