1956 to 1980 water salinity, temperature, and density (sigma t) data binned at 10-meter depth intervals from 300 meters to the surface for the Gulf of Maine. It contains over 500,000 temperature-salinity profiles for the Northwest Atlantic, sourced from the Canadian Fisheries and Oceans Hydrographic database. The dataset was compiled by NOAA NCEI and last updated in 1980.
Use Cases
- Analyze temporal trends in sea temperature and salinity at specific depth intervals (e.g., 0-50m) from 1956 to 1980.
- Model water density (sigma t) as a function of temperature and salinity profiles for ocean circulation studies.
- Correlate surface layer (0-10m) temperature data with historical atmospheric records for climate research.
- Validate regional ocean models using the spatially averaged Batfish tow data included in the collection.
Strengths
- Over 500,000 temperature-salinity profiles provide a substantial observational record.
- 25-year temporal coverage (1956-1980) allows for analysis of decadal trends.
- Data is binned at consistent 10-meter depth intervals from 0 to 300 meters.
Limitations
- Data is temporally stale, with the last update in 1980, limiting contemporary analysis.
- Specific row count, column details, and sample size for the Gulf of Maine subset are unknown.
- Data integrates multiple instrument types (bottles, CTDs, bathythermographs), which may introduce measurement bias.
Provenance
- Source
- Canadian Fisheries and Oceans Hydrographic database, via NASA Earthdata and NOAA NCEI.
- Collection Method
- Aggregated from hydrographic bottles, CTD casts, Batfish tows, and various bathythermographs, including near real-time IGOSS messages.
- Time Range
- 1956 to 1980
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Gulf of Maine, within the Northwest Atlantic region (35°-80° N, 42°-100° W).