Oceanographic CTD Profiles from Deepwater Horizon Spill Response

Gulf of Mexico oceanographic data was collected aboard the RV Brooks McCall from September 2-6, 2010, in direct response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Subsurface Monitoring Unit, a multi-agency group, gathered the data using CTD instruments and other physical sampling devices. Data underwent preliminary quality assurance by the National Coastal Data Development Center.

Use Cases

• Analyze water column stratification from CTD-derived temperature and salinity profiles.
• Investigate changes in oceanographic conditions following the spill event over the 5-day cruise period.
• Correlate physical oceanographic data with other spill monitoring metrics collected by the Subsurface Monitoring Unit.

Strengths

• Data collected during a critical 5-day period immediately following a major environmental event.
• Includes cruise-level documentation such as reports, plans, videos, and pictures for context.
• Preliminary quality assurance and control procedures were applied by the National Coastal Data Development Center.

Limitations

• Specific column names, data types, and row counts are not provided in the metadata.
• Geographic coverage is limited to the specific cruise track of the Brooks McCall in the Gulf of Mexico.
• Data is from a single, short-term event in 2010, limiting longitudinal analysis.

Provenance

Source

Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU) and NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).

Collection Method

Data collected via shipboard CTD casts and other physical sampling devices during a dedicated research cruise.

Time Range

2010-09-02 to 2010-09-06

Freshness

Static dataset from a 2010 event.

Geography

Gulf of Mexico, along the cruise track of the RV Brooks McCall.