Ocean Veritas: Water Column Chemistry After Deepwater Horizon

From June 7 to 11, 2010, this dataset contains chemical, physical, and laboratory analysis data collected aboard the R/V Ocean Veritas in the Gulf of Mexico in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. It includes measurements of volatile and semivolatile organic compounds, total petroleum hydrocarbons, conductivity, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and suspended solids. The data also contain products like charts and maps created for real-time analysis and decision support during the event.

Use Cases

• Tracking hydrocarbon contamination based on measurements of volatile organic compounds and total petroleum hydrocarbons.
• Assessing water column physical properties based on conductivity, temperature, and salinity profiles.
• Analyzing suspended particulate matter based on transmissometer and LISST instrument data.
• Supporting real-time environmental decision-making based on the included charts, graphs, and GIS products.

Strengths

• Data collected over a precise 5-day period (2010-06-07 to 2010-06-11) in direct response to a major environmental event.
• Includes provisional laboratory analysis results for water and sediment samples, providing immediate post-spill data.
• CTD data underwent preliminary QA/QC procedures at the National Coastal Data Development Center.

Limitations

• Column names and specific data structure are not provided in any source, limiting immediate usability.
• Analytical chemistry data are labeled as provisional, indicating they are not final validated results.
• Conflicting last updated dates exist between platforms (2010 vs. 2026), creating uncertainty about metadata currency.

Provenance

Source

Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU), consisting of multiple government and corporate agencies.

Collection Method

Data collected via CTD, LISST, transmissometer, bottle samples, fluorometer, and oxygen meter aboard the R/V Ocean Veritas.

Time Range

2010-06-07 to 2010-06-11

Freshness

2026-03-05 22:32:22.397161

Geography

Gulf of Mexico