NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter Oceanographic Data from Deepwater Horizon Spill Response

Oceanographic data were collected aboard the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter in the Gulf of Mexico from August 24 to September 10, 2010, as a direct response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The dataset includes measurements of CDOM fluorescence, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, and water density, collected using CTD, fluorometer, and oxygen meter instruments. It was gathered by a multi-agency Subsurface Monitoring Unit and underwent preliminary quality control by the National Coastal Data Development Center.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical profiles of salinity and temperature (CTD data) to model oil plume dispersion.
• Correlating CDOM fluorescence measurements with subsurface hydrocarbon presence.
• Assessing dissolved oxygen levels to evaluate potential hypoxia caused by the spill event.
• Using sound velocity and water density data for acoustic and hydrodynamic modeling in the spill area.
• Integrating hydrostatic pressure and conductivity readings for water mass characterization post-spill.

Strengths

• Data collection targeted a specific major environmental event, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, providing focused context.
• Instruments used are standard for oceanography, including CTD, fluorometer, and oxygen meter.
• Data underwent preliminary quality assurance and control procedures at the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC).
• Includes supplementary products like charts, maps, and GIS files created for real-time decision support.

Limitations

• Exact row count, file size, and complete column list are not provided by any source.
• License information and specific author details are unavailable.
• Conflict exists for the 'last updated' date: Data.gov lists 2026-04-01, while NASA Earthdata lists 2010-09 10.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce

Collection Method

Data collected aboard NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter using CTD, fluorometer, oxygen meter, and other physical sampling devices.

Time Range

2010-08-24 to 2010-09-10

Freshness

2026-04-01 15:25:18.261587

Geography

Gulf of Mexico