High-Resolution CTD/STD Ocean Profiles from RV Alpha Helix

Bering and Chukchi Sea data from July 1986 contains high-resolution vertical profiles of oceanographic parameters. The dataset, processed to the NODC F022 standard, likely contains measurements of temperature, salinity, density, and possibly dissolved oxygen or transmissivity. Cruise information, station positions, and environmental conditions at the time of each cast are also reported.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical stratification and water mass properties based on temperature and salinity profiles.
• Studying spatial oceanographic gradients across the Bering and Chukchi Sea region using station position data.
• Investigating relationships between surface environmental conditions and subsurface parameters using reported meteorological data.
• Calibrating or validating regional ocean models with high-resolution in-situ conductivity-temperature-depth measurements.

Strengths

• Data is processed to a recognized standard (NODC High-Resolution CTD/STD F022 format).
• Provides high-resolution vertical profiles, with depth intervals potentially as fine as 1 meter.
• Includes ancillary station metadata such as position, time, and environmental conditions.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are not provided in the available metadata.
• The dataset is from a single, short cruise in 1986, limiting temporal scope.
• License and detailed authorship information are not specified.

Provenance

Source

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), originally from RV Alpha Helix cruise.

Collection Method

Collected using CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) and STD (salinity-temperature-depth) instruments.

Time Range

1986-07-04 to 1986-07-25

Freshness

Metadata was last updated on 2026-03-05, though the underlying data is from 1986.

Geography

Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea