Gulf of Mexico Marine Chemistry and Plankton Survey (1980-1981)

Moored instrument data from the Gulf of Mexico captures water physics, chemistry, phytoplankton, and zooplankton measurements. The dataset was submitted by Texas A&M University for the Brine Disposal project and covers the period from April 17, 1980 to July 17, 1981. Data is processed into NOAA NODC standard formats F004, F028, F069, and F124.

Use Cases

• Analyze relationships between physical parameters like temperature, salinity, and chemical concentrations such as nitrate, phosphate, and dissolved oxygen.
• Model phytoplankton abundance and distribution using species counts, chlorophyll concentration, and sampling depth data.
• Study zooplankton population dynamics by analyzing species-specific data on adults, juveniles, eggs, and larvae counts.
• Investigate water column structure by correlating sigma-t density, transmissivity, and current velocity components with depth.
• Assess marine productivity through parameters like adenosine triphosphate (ATP), particulate organic carbon, and apparent oxygen utilization.

Strengths

• Data collection spans over 15 months from April 1980 to July 1981.
• Covers a multi-faceted suite of measurements including physics, chemistry, and two distinct biological communities (phytoplankton and zooplankton).
• Standardized into four established NOAA NODC data formats (F004, F028, F069, F124) ensuring consistent structure.

Limitations

• Data is temporally stale, with the last update in July 1981, limiting analysis of current conditions.
• Specific sample size, row count, and geographic precision within the Gulf of Mexico are unknown.
• Potential for incomplete records or measurement gaps inherent in long-term moored instrument deployments.

Provenance

Source

Texas A&M University, submitted to NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).

Collection Method

Collected via moored current meter casts and other oceanographic instruments.

Time Range

1980-04-17 to 1981-07-17

Freshness

1981-07-17

Geography

Gulf of Mexico