Brooks McCall Oceanographic Profiles from Deepwater Horizon Spill

Oceanographic profile data were collected aboard the research vessel Brooks McCall in the Gulf of Mexico from August 29 to September 2, 2010, as part of the response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Subsurface Monitoring Unit, a multi-agency group, gathered these data using CTD and other physical sampling instruments. The dataset includes temperature measurements and underwent preliminary quality assurance by the National Coastal Data Development Center.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical water column temperature structure in the spill area using CTD profile data.
• Investigating the relationship between physical oceanographic conditions and subsurface hydrocarbon dispersion.
• Calibrating and validating oceanographic models for the northern Gulf of Mexico during the spill response period.
• Supporting post-spill environmental impact assessments with in-situ physical oceanographic measurements.

Strengths

• Data collection was part of a coordinated multi-agency response effort, suggesting systematic sampling.
• The CTD data underwent preliminary quality assurance and control procedures at a national data center.
• The dataset is documented with cruise-level information including reports, plans, and multimedia.

Limitations

• Specific column names and the total row count are not provided by any source, limiting immediate analysis.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date, with one listing 2010-09-02 and another listing 2026-03-05, creating uncertainty about data currency.

Provenance

Source

Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU), consisting of multiple government and corporate agencies, collected for NOAA NCEI.

Collection Method

Data collected via CTD and other physical sampling devices aboard the RV Brooks McCall.

Time Range

2010-08-29 to 2010-09-02

Freshness

2026-03-05 23:00:17.941057

Geography

Gulf of Mexico, specifically the area of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.