Coastal Ocean Acidification Measurements from the Gulf of Mexico, October 2018

Surface discrete measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon, total alkalinity, pH, and nutrients were collected during the R/V F. G. Walton Smith cruise WS18285. The data were gathered from seven stations off the west coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico between October 12 and 19, 2018. Scientists at NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory analyzed the samples to monitor the effects of the Shark River Slough outflow on coastal ocean acidification.

Use Cases

• Monitor coastal ocean acidification trends based on dissolved inorganic carbon and pH measurements.
• Analyze the influence of riverine outflow on seawater chemistry based on nutrient and alkalinity data.
• Model carbon cycling in the Gulf of Mexico based on discrete surface water samples.
• Support NOAA Ocean Acidification Program coastal monitoring objectives based on bi-monthly sampling design.

Strengths

• Data collection is part of a structured bi-monthly monitoring program for the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program.
• Measurements cover multiple key carbon chemistry parameters: dissolved inorganic carbon, total alkalinity, pH, and nutrients.
• Samples were analyzed by scientists at the authoritative Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML).

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data reflects geographic bias inherent to a specific cruise track in the Gulf of Mexico.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce

Collection Method

Surface discrete observations using Niskin bottle and other instruments from the R/V F. G. Walton Smith.

Time Range

2018-10 12 to 2018-10-19

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-05 23:06:13.357635; freshness should be verified.

Geography

West coast of Florida, Gulf of Mexico