NBP0204: Winter Sea-Ice Microbial Activities in the Western Antarctic Peninsula

R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer cruise NBP0204 collected underway data on sea-ice microbial communities during a winter expedition in the western Antarctic Peninsula. The dataset, supported by the National Science Foundation, was gathered by the SCIOPS organization and last updated in September 2002. The research icebreaker's voyage began and ended in Punta Arenas, Chile.

Use Cases

• Modeling winter sea-ice microbial distribution based on underway data collection.
• Analyzing seasonal biological activity in Antarctic sea ice based on the described microbial community focus.
• Correlating physical oceanographic conditions with microbial community data from the research cruise.
• Studying the impact of Antarctic winter conditions on marine microbial ecosystems based on the expedition's stated purpose.

Strengths

• Data originates from a dedicated NSF-supported research icebreaker, the R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer.
• Focuses on a specific and logistically challenging winter season in the Antarctic.
• Targets a distinct ecological niche: microbial communities within sea ice.

Limitations

• Last updated 2002-09-16 23:59:59.999000; freshness should be verified.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

SCIOPS organization via NASA Earthdata.

Collection Method

Underway data collection from the R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer research icebreaker.

Time Range

Winter 2002 (based on cruise date and description).

Freshness

Last updated 2002-09-16 23:59:59.999000

Geography

Western Antarctic Peninsula, starting and ending in Punta Arenas, Chile.