SPURS-1: Waveglider Salinity and Oceanographic Trajectory Data

SPURS-1 deployed three autonomous Wavegliders on year-long missions in a 900 x 800-mile region of the subtropical North Atlantic. These platforms collected continuous, hour-averaged observations of near-surface and 6-meter depth salinity, temperature, currents, and atmospheric conditions. The dataset provides a detailed spatio-temporal characterization of processes maintaining a high-salinity ocean region, integrating in-situ and satellite measurements.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite sea surface salinity measurements from Aquarius and SMOS using continuous in-situ sensor data.
• Analyzing the salinity balance and freshwater flux in a high-evaporation, low-rainfall ocean region.
• Studying sub-mesoscale ocean circulation and current patterns using georeferenced, along-track trajectory data.
• Investigating air-sea interaction processes by correlating atmospheric (wind, pressure) and oceanic (temperature, salinity) parameters.

Strengths

• Data integrates multiple in-situ sampling technologies with satellite remote sensing for cross-validation.
• Provides continuous, hour-averaged observations over a full annual cycle from 2012-2013 deployments.
• Covers a specific, well-defined study area of 900 x 800 miles centered at 25N, 38W.

Limitations

• Specific column names and row counts are not provided in the available metadata.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates (2013 vs. 2026) suggest potential metadata management issues.
• Documentation gaps exist regarding the exact license terms, only specified as 'other-license-specified'.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Collected via autonomous Waveglider platforms (ASL2, ASL3, ASL4 and their redeployments) equipped with CTD, current meter, and meteorological sensors.

Time Range

2012-2013

Freshness

2026-04-09 (from datagov, though this may be a metadata update; core data is from 2012-2013)

Geography

Subtropical North Atlantic, within a 900 x 800-mile square study area centered at 25N, 38W.