High-Resolution CTD Profiles from the Gulf of Alaska Recirculation Project

From May 5 to 28, 1989, this dataset contains high-resolution vertical profiles of temperature, salinity, and density (sigma-t) collected via CTD and bottle casts aboard the R/V ALPHA HELIX. Data were processed to the NODC F022 standard, potentially reporting values at depth intervals as fine as 1 meter. It was collected in support of the Exxon Oil Spill Monitoring Program and the Gulf of Alaska Recirculation Project funded by the National Science Foundation.

Use Cases

• Analyzing water column stratification based on temperature and salinity profiles.
• Studying oceanographic conditions for oil spill impact monitoring.
• Modeling ocean circulation using high-resolution density (sigma-t) data.
• Calibrating satellite-derived sea surface salinity measurements with in-situ conductivity data.

Strengths

• Data is processed to a documented, standard oceanographic format (NODC F022).
• Provides nearly continuous, high-resolution profiles with potential 1-meter depth intervals.
• Has clear provenance from a specific research cruise and funded projects.

Limitations

• Key metadata like row count, column names, and file size are unknown across all platforms.
• There is a conflict in the 'last updated' date between sources (1989 vs. 2026).
• The license is unspecified, which may restrict reuse.

Provenance

Source

University of Alaska; Institute of Marine Science (UAK/IMS), processed by NODC/NOAA NCEI.

Collection Method

Collected via CTD and bottle casts from the R/V ALPHA HELIX.

Time Range

1989-05-05 to 1989-05-28

Freshness

2026-04-01 14:54:09.083361

Geography

Gulf of Alaska