IDOE/NORPAX: High-Resolution Ocean Salinity and Temperature Profiles

Pacific Ocean salinity and temperature profile data were collected from multiple research vessels, including the ACONA, between October 20 and November 6, 1976. The dataset contains high-resolution vertical casts from STD and CTD instruments, processed to the NODC F022 standard, and likely includes parameters such as conductivity, computed density (sigma-t), and possibly dissolved oxygen. Data were submitted by Oregon State University as part of the International Decade of Ocean Exploration North Pacific Experiment.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical ocean structure based on high-resolution CTD/STD profile data.
• Studying historical salinity and temperature variability in the Pacific Ocean during a specific autumn period.
• Calibrating ocean models using in-situ conductivity, temperature, and depth measurements.
• Investigating water mass properties using computed density (sigma-t) values from the data record.

Strengths

• High-resolution vertical profiles with sampling intervals as fine as 1 meter.
• Data processed to a documented standard format (NODC F022), ensuring consistency.
• Clear temporal coverage from October 20 to November 6, 1976, and geographic scope in the Pacific Ocean.

Limitations

• Metadata completeness is low: specific column names, row counts, file size, and license information are unknown across all sources.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates (1976-11-06 vs. 2026-03-06) create uncertainty about metadata maintenance.
• The dataset's age (1976) may limit its relevance for studying contemporary oceanographic changes.

Provenance

Source

Oregon State University; data processed by the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC).

Collection Method

Collected via STD/CTD casts from the ACONA and other research platforms.

Time Range

1976-10-20 to 1976-11-06

Freshness

2026-03-06 00:01:25.915364

Geography

Pacific Ocean