TIGER Program: Gulf of Mexico CTD and XBT Profiles from R/V Gyre

One week of Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) and Bathythermograph (XBT) data was collected in the Gulf of Mexico from March 2 to March 9, 1991 aboard the R/V Gyre. The data, part of the Texas Institutions Gulf Ecosystem Research (TIGER) program, is processed into standard NODC formats F022 and C116. This dataset provides high-resolution vertical profiles of oceanographic properties for a specific time and location.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical temperature and salinity structure in the Gulf of Mexico based on CTD/XBT profiles.
• Studying short-term oceanographic variability during a one-week cruise in March 1991.
• Validating regional ocean circulation models with in-situ hydrographic data from a known location and time.
• Investigating water mass properties and mixing processes using high-resolution conductivity and depth measurements.

Strengths

• Data covers a specific, well-documented one-week time range from March 2-9, 1991.
• Processed into established NODC standard formats (F022-CTD-Hi Resolution, C116-Bathythermograph-XBT), suggesting quality control.
• Cross-platform presence (NASA Earthdata, Data.gov) indicates recognized importance and accessibility.

Limitations

• Column names and exact data structure are unknown, limiting immediate usability.
• Metadata conflict: last updated dates differ significantly (1991 vs. 2026) across platform entries.
• Dataset is limited in temporal scope (one week) and spatial scope (single cruise track).

Provenance

Source

Data submitted by Dr. Edward Webb of Texas A&M University, collected under grant MMS # 14-35-0001-30501 to Dr. Douglas C. Biggs.

Collection Method

Collected via shipboard Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) and expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) instruments.

Time Range

1991-03-02 to 1991-03-09

Freshness

2026-03-06 00:02:42.633746

Geography

Gulf of Mexico