North Sea Oceanic Organosulfur and Halocarbon Measurements from 1989

September to October 1989 measurements of oceanic organosulfur compounds, halocarbons, and ammonium from the Challenger 61 research cruise in the North Sea. The dataset contains over 100 concentration measurements for each of 10+ chemical species, including dimethylsulphide (DMS) and methyl iodide, collected by researchers Sue Turner and David Hydes as part of the North Sea Project.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial correlations between dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) concentration and ammonium measurements to study nutrient-sulfur cycle interactions.
• Model the distribution of halocarbons like dibromochloromethane and methyl iodide across the +51N to +56N latitude and +2W to +8E longitude sampling grid.
• Compare concentration levels of dimethylsulphide (DMS) in dissolved versus particulate GF/C phases from over 100 sample points.
• Investigate co-variation patterns between different halocarbon species (e.g., tetrachloroethene, carbon tetrachloride) using the 100+ concurrent measurements for each.
• Use the geospatial and temporal coordinates to reconstruct a snapshot of trace gas concentrations in the North Sea during autumn 1989.

Strengths

• Provides over 100 concentration measurements for each of 10+ distinct chemical species, ensuring statistical reliability for the sampled area.
• Clear spatial coverage defined as +51N to +56N latitude and +2W to +8E longitude within the North Sea.
• Precise temporal coverage from 21 September to 3 October 1989, representing a focused sampling period.

Limitations

• Limited temporal scope to a single two-week cruise in 1989, preventing seasonal or long-term trend analysis.
• Sample sizes for some measurements are very small (e.g., only 1 measurement for dissolved plus reactive particulate DMSP by gas chromatography).
• Dataset is over 30 years old, and modern instrumentation may yield different measurement sensitivities or accuracy.

Provenance

Source

SCIOPS, collected during the Challenger 61 research cruise for the North Sea Project.

Collection Method

Measurements made via filtration, purging, cryogenic trapping, and gas chromatography techniques on water column samples.

Time Range

1989-09-21 to 1989-10-03

Freshness

1989-10-03

Geography

North Sea, bounded by +51N to +56N latitude and +2W to +8E longitude.