Antarctic Oceanographic and Nutrient Data from 1985 ADBEX III Cruise

Fifty CTD casts and nutrient samples were collected in the Prydz Bay region during the Antarctic Division BIOMASS Experiment III (ADBEX III) cruise of the Nella Dan from September to December 1985. The dataset contains measurements for pressure, temperature, salinity, and nutrients like nitrate and phosphate. It was contributed by the Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AU_AADC).

Use Cases

• Analyze the relationship between temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentrations like nitrate and phosphate across different depths.
• Model geopotential anomalies using pressure, temperature, and conductivity data from 50 CTD casts.
• Investigate spatial patterns of silicate and manganese levels at 25 sampling stations in Prydz Bay.
• Study oceanographic profiles from casts to 2000 meters for water column structure analysis.

Strengths

• 50 CTD casts provide vertical profile data to depths of 2000 meters.
• Nutrient data includes measurements for five analytes (nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate, manganese) at 25 stations.

Limitations

• Nutrient data is only available for 25 of the 50 CTD stations, reducing spatial completeness.
• Data is from a single cruise in 1985, limiting temporal analysis and modern applicability.
• Station locations were subordinate to other research programs and may not be ideal for oceanographic spatial analysis.

Provenance

Source

Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AU_AADC) via NASA Earthdata.

Collection Method

Data gathered from CTD casts and water sample analysis during the Nella Dan research cruise.

Time Range

1985-09 to 1985-12

Freshness

Data collection ended on 1985-12-13; no updates are expected.

Geography

Prydz Bay region, Antarctica.