High-Resolution Oceanographic Profiles from Indonesian Waters, 1973

Ninety-one high-resolution oceanographic stations were collected in Indonesian waters in August 1973 aboard the research vessel Samudera. The data, processed to the NODC F022 standard format, include profiles of temperature, salinity, density, and other parameters. This study was conducted by the Bechtel Corporation for Pacific Nikkel Indonesia, affiliated with U.S. Steel.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical temperature and salinity profiles to understand water column stratification near Gag Island.
• Calculating density (sigma-t) from the recorded parameters to study ocean circulation patterns.
• Using station position, date, and time metadata to reconstruct the 1973 research cruise track.
• Examining potential correlations between recorded parameters like dissolved oxygen or transmissivity and local environmental conditions.
• Employing the high-resolution (potentially 1-meter interval) depth data for fine-scale modeling of thermocline structure.

Strengths

• Contains data from 91 distinct oceanographic stations, providing spatial coverage.
• Processed to a recognized standard (NODC F022 format) ensuring structured, comparable data.
• Provides high-resolution vertical profiles, with data potentially reported at intervals as fine as 1 meter.

Limitations

• Key metadata such as exact row count, column names, and file size are unavailable from all sources.
• The data is from a single, brief campaign in August 1973, limiting temporal analysis.
• Sources conflict on the 'last updated' date, with one showing 2026 (likely a metadata error) and another showing 1973.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.

Collection Method

Data collected with a Plessey model 9060 salinity-temperature-depth recorder aboard the RV Samudera and processed by NODC.

Time Range

1973-08-11 to 1973-08-26

Freshness

1973-08-26 00:00:00

Geography

Indonesian waters, near Gag Island (approximately 130°E).