Oceanographic Measurements from Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Response Cruise

Over 13 days in October 2010, the Subsurface Monitoring Unit collected chemical, physical, and sediment data aboard the GYRE vessel in the Gulf of Mexico. The dataset includes measurements of CDOM fluorescence, total organic carbon, metals, volatile organic compounds, conductivity, temperature, and sediment properties. Data were gathered in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill event.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial distribution of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) and Volatile Organic Compounds to map contamination from the spill.
• Correlate water density, salinity, and temperature profiles with CDOM fluorescence to understand plume dynamics.
• Assess sediment core properties and metal concentrations to evaluate benthic ecosystem impact.
• Use conductivity and dissolved oxygen measurements alongside Semivolatile Organic Compounds data for water quality modeling.
• Integrate hydrostatic pressure and sound velocity data with geospatial information for oceanographic condition analysis.

Strengths

• Data collected over a focused 13-day period during a major environmental event.
• Includes multiple data types: chemical analysis, physical profiles, sediment properties, and imagery.
• CTD data underwent preliminary quality assurance and control procedures.

Limitations

• Analytical chemistry data are provisional, indicating potential unverified lab results.
• Sample size and row count are unknown, limiting statistical confidence.
• Temporal coverage is limited to a single two-week cruise in 2010.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Collected using CTD, bottle, fluorometer, oxygen meter, sediment corer, and other physical sampling devices.

Time Range

2010-10-07 to 2010-10-20

Freshness

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Geography

Gulf of Mexico