Gulf of Mexico Hydrographic and Chemical Oceanography Survey 1997-1998

October 1997 through June 1998 data from the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico Physical Oceanography Program. The dataset contains hydrographic and acoustic Doppler current profiler surveys with 94 and 98 sampling stations across two cruises, measuring conductivity, temperature, pressure, irradiance, fluorescence, and water chemistry. It was collected by Texas A&M University components under contract for the U.S. Minerals Management Service.

Use Cases

• Modeling water column structure using continuous profiles of conductivity, temperature, and pressure from hydrographic stations.
• Analyzing nutrient distributions (nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate, ammonium, urea) from up to twelve water samples per station.
• Studying phytoplankton biomass via chlorophyll maximum and pigment data determined by high performance liquid chromatography.
• Mapping current patterns using continuous acoustic Doppler current profiler measurements along cruise tracks.
• Investigating particulate matter and organic carbon concentrations from filtered water samples at surface, middle, and bottom depths.

Strengths

• Data subjected to stringent quality assurance and control procedures as described in the report.
• Includes two comprehensive surveys (N1 and N2) with 94 and 98 hydrographic stations respectively.
• Multiple concurrent measurements per station including profiles, water samples, and ADCP data.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage is limited to an 8-month period from late 1997 to mid-1998.
• Geographic scope is restricted to the continental shelf and upper slope between the Mississippi delta and Tampa Bay.
• Sample data and specific column definitions are unavailable for review.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce, via the NEGOM-COH study.

Collection Method

Collected from ship-based hydrographic/ADCP surveys, expendable bathythermograph stations, and water sample analysis.

Time Range

October 1997 through June 1998.

Freshness

Data reflects conditions from 1997-1998, with a metadata record last updated in March 2026.

Geography

Northeastern Gulf of Mexico, continental shelf and upper slope between the Mississippi delta and Tampa Bay (approx. 28.52N, 83.33W).