Over 23,000 stations from 94 WOCE cruises form the basis for this dataset, which contains discrete measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon, alkalinity, chlorofluorocarbons, and hydrographic variables. Data were collected by researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization and other institutions during a month-long cruise of the R/V METEOR in October-November 1994. This specific profile contributes to the CARINA and WOCE international synthesis projects for studying the ocean's carbon system.
Use Cases
- Calculate ocean acidification metrics like aragonite saturation state using DISSOLVED INORGANIC CARBON (DIC) and TOTAL ALKALINITY (TA) measurements.
- Trace water mass age and circulation pathways by analyzing CHLOROFLUOROCARBON-11 (CFC-11) and CFC-12 concentrations as temporal tracers.
- Model nutrient cycles and primary productivity by correlating NITRATE, phosphate, and silicate levels with DISSOLVED OXYGEN and SALINITY.
- Calibrate ocean carbon cycle models by validating predicted DIC and TA against in-situ profile data from the North Atlantic.
- Study deep water formation by examining potential temperature (theta) and SALINITY relationships with HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE.
Strengths
- Data is part of the large-scale CARINA and WOCE synthesis projects, encompassing approximately 23,000 stations for internal consistency.
- Includes multiple key carbon system variables (DIC, TA, CFCs) and complementary hydrographic data (temperature, salinity, nutrients) per profile.
- Specific temporal and spatial context: a continuous one-month cruise in the North Atlantic Ocean during a defined climate research period.
Limitations
- Data is from a single cruise in 1994, representing a historical snapshot and not current ocean conditions.
- Sample size for this specific accession is unknown, limiting statistical power for standalone analysis.
- Potential for measurement noise or calibration drift inherent in 1990s-era CTD and bottle sampling techniques.
Provenance
- Source
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), originating from the CARINA and WOCE international projects.
- Collection Method
- Discrete water samples and continuous profiles collected using CTD and bottle instruments aboard the research vessel METEOR.
- Time Range
- 1994-10-12 to 1994-11 12
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- North Atlantic Ocean, cruise track of R/V METEOR (06MT19941012).