North Sea Methane and Halocarbon Measurements from 1989 Challenger Cruise

132 methane concentration and 121 methane saturation measurements were collected during the 12-day Challenger 48 research cruise in March 1989. Mary Scranton and the SCIOPS organization led the project, analyzing samples via gas chromatography and computation. The dataset also includes measurements of organosulfur compounds (DMS, DMSP) and halocarbons like tetrachloromethane and bromoform.

Use Cases

• Analyze methane concentration and saturation measurements to model oceanic methane supersaturation events in the North Sea.
• Correlate halocarbon (tetrachloromethane, methyl chloroform, bromoform) levels with spatial coordinates (+42N to +43N, +3E to +5E) to map pollutant distributions.
• Use DMS and DMSP measurements alongside methane data to study relationships between organosulfur compounds and other trace gases in surface waters.
• Model temporal trends of dissolved gases using the precise cruise time range (March 14-26, 1989) as a historical snapshot.

Strengths

• 253 total quantitative measurements for methane (132 concentration + 121 saturation).
• Precise spatial (+42N to +43N, +3E to +5E) and temporal (March 14-26, 1989) coverage for the cruise track.
• Includes multiple gas species (methane, DMS, DMSP, three halocarbons) from a single coordinated expedition.

Limitations

• Limited sample size of 253 primary methane data points from a single, short cruise.
• Data is over 35 years old (1989), limiting analysis of current ocean conditions.
• Unknown sample depth or vertical profile information for the water column measurements.

Provenance

Source

SCIOPS organization, likely associated with the North Sea Project (NSP).

Collection Method

Samples collected at sea and analyzed via gas chromatography and computation.

Time Range

1989-03-14 to 1989-03-26

Freshness

1989-03-26

Geography

North Sea, bounded by +42N to +43N latitude and +3E to +5E longitude.