Louisiana Hypoxia Surveys 2002

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Frequently-anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

    Title: Louisiana Hypoxia Surveys 2002
    Abstract:
    Two sets of CTD data were taken during the 2002 surveys of the Louisiana continental shelf. Hydrographic data were obtained with the LUMCON SeaBird 911+ CTD system and a Hydrolab Surveyor 3. Nutrient, pigment, suspended sediment, surface salinity and station information data were also acquired.

  1. How should this data set be cited?

    Rabalais, N., Unknown, Louisiana Hypoxia Surveys 2002.

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -94.2
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -89.4
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 29.8
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 28.4
    Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Louisiana coastal waters, Northwestern Gulf of Mexico.

  3. What does it look like?

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Beginning_Date: 17-Jan-2002
    Beginning_Time: Unknown
    Ending_Date: 12-Dec-2002
    Ending_Time: Unknown
    Currentness_Reference: ground condition

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Database

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):

      • Point (267)

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Degrees and decimal minutes.

      The horizontal datum used is WGS84.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS84.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257223563.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    H02Hydrolab
    The table lists Hydrolab CTD station identification number, record date, station name, record time, record depth, dissolved oxygen, temperature, specific conductance, salinity, pH, percent oxygen saturation and density sigma-t. There are 3869 records. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Date
    Date when a Hydrolab record was saved. (Date can be different for Hydrolab CTD cast and SeaBird CTD cast at same station). (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:20020117
    Maximum:20021211

    Density
    Density sigma-t (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:2.19
    Maximum:25.37
    Units:Density sigma-t

    Depth
    Depth of Hydrolab pressure sensor (Source: Producer Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:47.2
    Units:Meters

    DO
    Dissolved oxygen. N.B. The oxygen sensor maximized at two depths at station A'1 in July and during the November cruise at one or more depths at stations C6, C7, C8 and C9. Dissolved oxygen concentrations at those stations were greater than or equal to 20.0 mg/L. (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.27
    Maximum:99.99
    Units:mg/L

    DOPctSat
    Oxygen percent saturation. N.B. The oxygen sensor maximized at two depths at station A'1 in July and during the November cruise at one or more depths at stations C6, C7, C8 and C9. Oxygen saturation at those station depths was greater than or equal to 200 percent. (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:4.1
    Maximum:999.9
    Units:Percent

    pH
    pH (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:5.87
    Maximum:8.75
    Units:pH units

    Salin
    Salinity (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:9
    Maximum:36.1
    Units:psu

    SpCond
    Specific conductance (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:15.5
    Maximum:54.5
    Units:mS/cm

    Sta
    Station name of location sampled (Source: Producer defined)

    Character field

    StnID
    Station identification number (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:259
    Units:Integer

    Temp
    Temperature (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:10.73
    Maximum:33.67
    Units:Degrees centigrade

    Time
    Time when Hydrolab record was saved (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:00:00:29
    Maximum:23:59:54
    Units:HH:mm:ss

    H02Nutrient
    The table lists station vial number, NH4, NO2, NO2+NO3, NO3, PO4 and SiO3 values at depths. There are 541 records. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Depth
    0.0 depth = bucket sample. Mid-water sample depths were generally depths of SeaBird pressure sensor. Bottom sample depths were generally depths of Hydrolab pressure sensor. (See Methodology_Type Field water samples for exceptions). (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:47.2
    Units:Meters

    NH4
    Ammonium (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.2
    Maximum:48.2
    Units:µM

    NO2
    Nitrite (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.2
    Maximum:8
    Units:µM

    NO2+NO3
    Nitrite + Nitrate (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.1
    Maximum:157.1
    Units:µM

    NO3
    Nitrate (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:156.4
    Units:µM

    PO4
    Phosphate (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.2
    Maximum:5.2
    Units:µM

    SiO3
    Silicate (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.1
    Maximum:72.7
    Units:µM

    Sta
    Station name of location sampled (Source: Producer defined)

    Character field

    StnID
    Station identification number (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:268
    Units:Integer

    H02Pigments
    The table lists sample depth, mean chlorophyll a, Fo/Fa ratio, mean phaeopigments, station name and station identification number and mean total pigments. There are 467 records. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Depth
    0.0 depth = bucket sample. Mid-water sample depths were generally depths of SeaBird pressure sensor. Bottom sample depths were generally depths of Hydrolab pressure sensor. (See Methodology_Type Field water samples for exceptions). (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:47.2
    Units:Meters

    MeanC
    Mean Chlorophyll a (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:50.44
    Units:µg/L

    MeanF
    Mean Fo/Fa ratio. F(original), F(acidified). (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.5
    Maximum:2.11
    Units:FoFa ratio

    MeanP
    Mean Phaeopigments (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:95.65
    Units:µg/L

    Sta
    Station name of location sampled (Source: Producer defined)

    Character field

    StnID
    Station identification number (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:268
    Units:Integer

    Total
    Total pigments (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.13
    Maximum:95.65
    Units:µg/L

    H02PortaSal
    The table lists sample depth and sample salinity (psu), station name and station identification number of values measured using a Guildline Instruments PortaSal. There are 333 records. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Depth
    Bottom sample depths were generally depths of Hydrolab pressure sensor. (See Methodology_Type Field water samples for exceptions). 0.0 depth = bucket sample. (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:39.5
    Units:Meters

    PortaSal
    Salinity (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:3.424
    Maximum:36.598
    Units:psu

    Sta
    Station name of location sampled (Source: Producer defined)

    Character field

    StnID
    Station identification number. (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:268
    Units:Integer

    H02Refract
    The table lists sample date, sample Aquafauna refractometer salinity, sample MIDAS (SeaBird SBE 21 Thermosalinograph) salinity and station identification number of values measured. There are 5 records. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Refract
    Salinity measured with a refractometer. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:3
    Maximum:21
    Units:Parts per thousand

    Sal-M
    Salinity as logged from RV Pelicans MIDAS output. (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:9.66
    Maximum:19.2

    Sta
    Station name of location sampled (Source: Producer defined)

    Character field

    StnID
    Station identification number. (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:86
    Maximum:90
    Units:Integer

    H02SeaBird
    The table lists SeaBird CTD conductivity, depth, FlS (SeaTech fluorometer voltage), dissolved oxygen, oxygen percent saturation, salinity, density sigma-t, station name, station identification number, temperature and light transmissivity. There are 4418 records. (Source: Producer defined.)

    COS/m
    Conductivity (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.047937
    Maximum:5.993675
    Units:S/m

    DepS
    Depth of SeaBird pressure sensor. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.348
    Maximum:47.091
    Units:Meters

    FlS
    in vivo fluorescence. SeaTech fluorometer voltage. N.B. 15 is the maximum value for the instrument. Values of 15 indicate in vivo fluorescence was equal to or greater than what the instrument measured. Values of 15 at one or more depths were measured in January at stations C7, C6, C6B, C5, C4, C3, and C1. In March 15 was measured at stations C3 and C1. During May at station C1 and June at station C3 and C1 15 was measured. On the shelfwide survey in July at stations A'1, C5, D0, F0 and I2 had at least one FlS record value with a value of 15. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.013431
    Maximum:15
    Units:Voltage

    OxMg/L
    Dissolved oxygen (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:-0.10896
    Maximum:12.69866
    Units:mg/L

    OxPS
    Percent oxygen saturation. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:-1.72238
    Maximum:157.11082
    Units:Percent

    Sal00
    Salinity (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:11.4118
    Maximum:36.5325
    Units:psu

    Sigma-t00
    Density sigma-t (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:3.6498
    Maximum:25.5599
    Units:sigma-t

    Sta
    Station name of location sampled. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Character field

    StnID
    Station identification number. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:241
    Units:Integer

    T090C
    Water Temperature (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:12.1881
    Maximum:33.1094
    Units:Degrees centigrade

    Xmiss
    Percent light transmission (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.3552
    Maximum:98.5604
    Units:Percent

    H02SPM
    The table lists values for inorganic, organic and total suspended particulate material, station name and station identification number. There are 232 records. (Source: Producer defined.)

    InOrgSPM
    Inorganic suspended particulate material. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.9
    Maximum:53.3

    OrgSPM
    Organic suspended particulate material. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.4
    Maximum:16
    Units:mg/L

    Sta
    Station name of location sampled. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Character field

    StnID
    Station identification number. (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:268
    Units:Integer

    TotalSPM
    Total suspended sediments. (Source: Producer defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:2.1
    Maximum:69.3
    Units:mg/L

    H02Stn
    The table lists altimeter height, date, fathometer depth, latitude, longitude, secchi disk depth, station name, station identification number, time of Hydrolab CTD cast and time of SeaBird CTD cast. There are 267 records. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Alt
    Height of SeaBird CTD package above the bottom. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.7
    Maximum:2.5
    Units:Meters

    Date
    Date samples were collected at station. (Date may be different for Hydrolab CTD cast and SeaBird CTD cast at same station). (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:20020117
    Maximum:20021212

    Fath
    Depth of Station as measured by ship's fathometer, corrected for hull depth. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:3.56
    Maximum:47.77
    Units:Meters

    Lat
    Latitude of sampling station. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:28.4828
    Maximum:29.7052
    Units:Decimal degrees.

    Lon
    Longitude of sampling station. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:-94.1067
    Maximum:-89.325
    Units:Decimal degrees.

    Secc
    Secchi disk depth. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.2
    Maximum:25.0
    Units:Meters

    Sta
    Station name of location sampled. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Character field

    StnID
    Station identification number. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:268
    Units:Integer

    TimeHL
    Time of beginning of Hydrolab CTD cast as well as time of Pigment, PortaSal and Nutrient samples. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:00:02:27
    Maximum:23:59:54
    Units:HH:mm:ss

    TimeSB
    Time of beginning of SeaBird CTD cast. (Source: Producer defined.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:00:26
    Maximum:23:54
    Units:HH:mm

    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    The related data tables H02Hydrolab, H02Nutrients, H02Pigment, H02PortaSal, H02Refract, H02SeaBird, H02SPM, and H02Stn contain spatial, temporal, physical and biological water quality data acquired during the 2002 Hypoxia Surveys of the Louisiana coastal waters. Each table contains a StnID field that can be used to key joins with other tables.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: For detailed attribute information contact N. Rabalais.


Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

    Data_Set_Credit Rabalais, N.N., Turner, R.E. and Wiseman, Jr., W.J. Funding: Funds for the research were provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Coastal Ocean Program, Grant Nos. NA06OP0528 to Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, and NA06OP0529 to Louisiana State University.

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    Nancy N. Rabalais
    Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium
    Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, 8124 Hwy 56
    Chauvin, LA 70344
    USA

    985 851 2800 (voice)
    985 851 2874 (FAX)
    Unknown


Why was the data set created?

The physical, biological and chemical data collected are part of a long-term coastal Louisiana dataset. The goal is to understand physical and biological processes that contribute to the causes of hypoxia and use the data to support environmental models for use by resource managers.


How was the data set created?

  1. What methods were used to collect the data?

    Method 0 of 12
    Type: Field Hydrolab monthly C and F transect surveys

    Deployment: The Hydrolab CTD was attached by chain to a lead weight. The weight was lowered to the bottom by hydrowire. With the weight on the bottom, the Hydrolab sonde was positioned just above the bottom. When the oxygen sensor stabilized, a data record of all the sensor values was stored electronically. The sonde was raised in approximately 1.0-meter increments, after D.O. sensor stabilization, data records were stored. When the Hydrolab reached a depth of two to three meters from the surface, The sonde was raised, and records stored, in approximately 0.5-meter increments until finally a record was stored with the sonde submerged but as close as possible to the surface.

    Method 0 of 12
    Type: Field Hydrolab July shelfwide survey

    Deployment: Due to limitations of time, mid-water depths were generally not sampled with the Hydrolab CTD during the shelfwide cruise.

    The Hydrolab CTD was attached by chain to a lead weight. The weight was lowered to the bottom by hydrowire. With the weight on the bottom, the Hydrolab sonde was positioned just above the bottom. When the oxygen sensor stabilized, a data record of all the sensor values was stored electronically. The sonde was raised in approximately 0.5-meter increments, after D.O. sensor stabilization, data records were stored. After storing data for the few meters closest to the bottom, the sonde was raised to two to three meters from the surface and a data record was saved. The sonde was raised, and records stored, in approximately 0.5-meter increments until finally a record was stored with the sonde submerged but as close as possible to the surface.

    Method 0 of 12
    Type: Field Nutrient

    Care was taken that the collector's hands were clean and avoided touching the sample water. Gloves were worn when two replicate sample vials and caps were triple rinsed with sample before vial filling and closing. Samples were not filtered. The sample vials were frozen for later analysis in the laboratory.

    Method 0 of 12
    Type: Field Pigment

    Water for chlorophyll analysis (30 - 100 ml) was filtered on board ship through GF/F (0.7 micron) filters, which were then fixed in 5 ml of DMSO/90% acetone (40/60) solution, allowed to extract for at least two hours in the dark, then measured pre- and post-acidification on a Turner Model 10 AU fluorometer.

    Method 0 of 12
    Type: Field PortaSal

    Water was collected in an acid-washed, triple-rinsed 500ml Nalgene jar from a twice-rinsed bucket of surface water. The jar lid was secured tightly to minimize evaporation.

    Method 0 of 12
    Type: Field SeaBird

    The SeaBird CTD number of scans to average in the deck unit was set to one. At the beginning of each hydrocast the entire CTD/Rosette package was soaked while submerged 0.5m to 1.0m below the surface until pump flow and oxygen values observed via the Sea-Bird deck unit indicated the system was operating correctly.

    In order to minimize the effect of delays in oxygen sensor response time caused by temperature, sensor condition and plumbing configuration, the CTD package was lowered as close to dead slow as possible. The sensor packages were located below the Niskin bottles and rosette.

    At stations where the watch chief deemed the structure of the oxygen profile contained features useful in post-processing the oxygen data (AlignCTD), the CTD package was raised at the same speed it was lowered. At all other stations, the upcast was rapid in order to save time.

    Method 0 of 12
    Type: Field SPM

    Water (approximately 300 to 1000 ml) collected for suspended sediment samples was filtered on board ship through (pre-combusted, pre-weighed) GF/F filters and rinsed with distilled water. The filters were placed in Petri dishes and frozen for later analysis.

    Method 0 of 12
    Type: Field Station Locations

    C transect lies South and East of Terrebonne Bay. Nine cross-shelf stations on C transect were sampled monthly. Additional water-column hydrology measurements were made at stations C6B and CST52 when other research missions provided opportunities at those locations. Seven stations on transect F, South of the Atchafalya River were sampled in February, April, June, August, October, and December.

    During the July shelfwide cruise, stations were occupied along 16 generally North-South transects across the Louisiana and Texas coastal shelves. Station depths ranged from 3.56 to 47.7 meters. The objective was to delimit and describe the area of midsummer bottom dissolved oxygen less than 2 (mg/L). Northern end stations of transects were chosen based on the survey vessel's minimum depth limits for each longitude. The Northern extent of hypoxia was not reached on transects A', A, E, F, G, H, I and J. The limit of hypoxia on the Southern end of transect Q was not reached. The limit of hypoxia was not reached at two of four stations on the Western end of the survey. The limit of hypoxia was not reached at two of four stations on the Eastern end of the survey.

    Method 0 of 12
    Type: Field water samples

    Water for chlorophyll, nutrient, salinity and suspended sediment analyses was collected from the surface by twice-rinsed bucket, from mid-water in 5-l Niskin bottles on the SeaBird CTD/rosette system or a messenger triggered 5-l Niskin on the Hydrolab hydrowire. Bottom samples were collected in a 5-l bottom tripping Niskin deployed on the Hydrolab hydrowire. Three were problems with the Hydrolab winch at stations K7 and M7 during the shelfwide cruise and bottom water at those locations was collected using Niskin bottles on the SeaBird rosette.

    Depth values of "0" indicate a bucket sample collected from the surface of the water. Generally, deepest depths of water samples were from the bottom-tripping Niskin and correspond to the deepest depth recorded from the Hydrolab. As noted in the preceding paragraph, bottom water sample-depths at stations K7 and M7 were the depths of the pressure sensor reading for 5-l Niskin bottles on the SeaBird rosette.

    The SeaBird pressure sensor was located approximately 0.75 meters below the mid-point of the 5-l Niskin.

    Midwater samples at stations on C transect were collected using Niskin bottles on the SeaBird rosette in January through October and by messenger fired Niskin on the Hydrolab hydrowire in November.

    Method 0 of 12
    Type: Lab Nutrient

    Ammonium samples were analyzed according to Lachat Instrument's QuikChem method 31-107-06-1-B. Phosphates are determined by Lachat Instrument's QuikChem Method 31-115-01-1-H. Silicates were measured using Lachat Instrument's Method 31-114-27-1-C. TKN was determined using Lachat Instrument's QuikChem Method 10-107-06-2-H. Nitrates and Nitrites were determined using Lachat Instrument's Method 31-107-04-1-C.

    Method 0 of 12
    Type: Lab SPM

    Suspended sediment filters were dried overnight at 60°C and weighed. The filters were then combusted at 400°C for 12 hours and weighed. The weights of the total suspended, organic and inorganic materials were derived.

    Method 0 of 12
    Type: Lab SeaBird

    Sea-Bird CTD data were acquired using Seasoft version 4.236 January through March. April data were acquired using version 4.225. Version 5.25b was used to acquire data from May through October.

    January through April data were processed using version 5.25. May data per processed using version 5.25b. June through October data were processed using version 5.26.

    All scans were processed without averaging or interpolation with a bin size of one scan.

    In order to improve alignment between oxygen sensor values and other CTD sensor values, the Seasoft module ALIGNCTD was used, when possible, to determine which advance best compensated for the delay in oxygen sensor response time. When SeaBird data were processed, dissolved oxygen was advanced relative to temperature and conductivity values as follows: January: 3.3 seconds, February: 3.35 seconds, March: 3.4 seconds, April: 3.25 seconds, May: 3.2 seconds, June: 3.57 seconds, July: 3.45 seconds, September: 4.3 seconds and October: 2.7 seconds.

    Data values reported are from downcasts. Downcast scans selected for each CTD station were chosen to illustrate: 1) data values as near to the surface as possible, 2) data values at whole meter increments, and 3) data values as close to the bottom as the CTD was lowered. In certain cases where data values of a parameter changed significantly between whole meter increments, 0.1- or 0.2-meter scans were selected.

  2. From what previous works were the data drawn?

  3. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

    Date: Unknown (process 1 of 1)
    Unknown.


How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    H02Hydrolab: The Hydrolab Surveyor 3 Conductivity, pH and Oxygen sensors were serviced and calibrated before deployment and maintained in accordance with Hydrolab (<http://www.hydrolab.com/>) recommended procedures. The Sonde and Logger are returned to the factory at least annually for inspection and service.

    Shipboard Winkler titrations during the July shelfwide cruise were used to develop a regression against Hydrolab data in case it was necessary to correct the data. Hydrolab oxygen data were corrected using an equation based on the results of the regression.

    H02Nutrients: Nutrient analyses were conducted using a QuikChem 8000 FIA+(<http://www.lachatinstruments.com>). Tom Oswald performed the analyses under the supervision of R. E. Turner.

    H02Pigments: The Turner Designs model 10 AU fluorometer was calibrated for chlorophyll a against a chemical supply house chlorophyll a standard measured on a spectrophotometer. Each time the fluorometer was moved, it was tested with a Turner 10-AU solid standard. During cruises, the fluorometer was blanked and calibrated daily in accordance with Turner Designs recommended procedures. Pigment measurements were supervised by Ben Cole or Nancy Rabalais and quality controlled by Nancy Rabalais.

    H02PortaSal: Salinity samples were analyzed in the lab by Guildline Instruments PortaSal, using Guildline methods (<http://www.guildline.ca/>). Salinity analyses were conducted by Jim Lee under the supervision of R. E. Turner.

    H02Refract: The refractometer was checked with distilled water before each cruise and re-zeroed when necessary.

    H02SeaBird: Sea-Bird SBE 13-01 dissolved oxygen sensors, the Paroscientific Digiquartz(r) pressure sensor, the SBE 3-01/F temperature sensors, SBE 5-01 pumps, and the SBE 4-01/0 Conductivity sensors were factory tested and calibrated at Sea-Bird (<http://www.seabird.com/>) recommended intervals and maintained and serviced by RV Pelican Electronic Technical support staff in accordance with Sea-Bird procedures. The Sea Tech 500m Fluorometer was factory tested and calibrated at Sea Tech recommended intervals and maintained and serviced by RV Pelican Electronic Technical support staff in accordance with Sea Tech procedures. Note: WET Labs acquired SEA Tech June 1, 1998, (<http://www.wetlabs.com/>). The Wet Labs C Star 10 cm path transmissometer was maintained by RV Pelican Electronic Technical support staff in accordance with Wet Labs recommendations.

    At the beginning of the monthly cruise, oxygen sensors were calibrated using the procedures described in SeaBird APPLICATION NOTE NO. 13-1, Rev. D. The Winkler Titration (OXFITW) oxygen value was determined chemically from replicate samples processed using a Mettler DL21 Titrator (<http://www.mt.com/>).

    Shipboard Winkler titrations during the July shelfwide cruise were used to develop a regression against SeaBird data in case it was necessary to correct the data. SeaBird oxygen data were corrected using an equation based on the results of the regression.

    During monthly surveys conducted in other months, shipboard Winkler titrations for regressions were not made due to logistical constraints. Fewer stations were sampled and water columns were often well mixed, making the considerable effort involved in titrating an inefficient allocation of resources, often without a suitable range of data to develop a strong regression.

    Winkler titrations were conducted under the supervision of Nancy Rabalais. Data reductions from the SeaBird were generated by Ben Cole and quality controlled by Nancy Rabalais.

    H02SPM: Suspended sediment concentrations were supervised by Ben Cole or Nancy Rabalais and quality controlled by Nancy Rabalais.

    H02Stn: January though October monthly survey SeaBird times and locations of operations were logged from RV Pelican's Multiple Instrument Data Acquisition System (MIDAS) which was maintained by the ship's electronic staff. Navigational data were acquired from a Starlink (<http://www.starlinkdgps.com/>) differential GPS or a Trimble (<http://www.trimble.com/>)GPS with a Micronet Receiver Station with sub 5-meter accuracy. Station depths were logged from the ship's Odom Echotrac II (<http://www.odomhydrographic.com/>) fathometer.

    November and December monthly survey station times, locations and depths were logged from RV Acadiana's Garmin GPSMAP 168 Sounder (<http://www.garmin.com/>).

    In addition to the monthly surveys, Hydrolab casts were made on a few dates from a small boat. See Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report for details.

    Secchi disk depths were measured by hand using standard protocol.

    N. Rabalais performed an additional procedure in quality-control/quality-assurance by evaluating relationships between the data in H02Hydrolab, H02Nutrients, H02Pigments, H02PortaSal, H02Refract, H02SeaBird, H02SPM and H02Stn.

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    January though October monthly survey cruise station positions were logged from RV Pelican's differential GPS at the beginning of sampling operations. GPS manufacturer's accuracy claim is 1-5 meters 95% of the time. Wind, currents and tidal forces may have moved the ship from the beginning position.

    Station positions acquired during November and December on RV Acadiana were logged from the ship's Garmin Garmin GPSMAP 168 Sounder with Garmin GBR 21 DGPS. The manufacturer describes the accuracy to be between 1 - 5 meters 95% of the time. Wind, currents and tidal forces may have moved the ship from the beginning position.

    In addition to the monthly surveys, Hydrolab casts were made at stations C6B and CST52 on a few dates from a small boat using a Garmin 12XL Personal Navigator. The manufacturer describes the unit as being accurate within 15 meters 95% of the time.

    20020827 - 20020829 a series of Hydrolab casts were made at locations in the Ship Shoal and South Timbalier areas in a small boat using a Garmin GPS Map 182. The manufacturer describes the unit as being accurate within 15 meters 95% of the time.

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    When data quality criteria were not met, SPM data were not included.

    NO2+NO3 values are reported for all months. Measuring individual Nitrite and Nitrate values in nutrient samples required additional samples, sample runs and funding. Nitrite and nitrate values were only determined for samples collected during the July shelfwide survey.

    The October 2002 cruise was the last cruise when SeaBird CTD data were acquired because RV Pelican, in the shipyard for a midlife re-fit, was out of service through the end of the year.

    The Hydrolab CTD sustained weather related damage during the December cruise. No data were acquired on the date 20021212.

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    H02Hydrolab: oxygen sensor maximized at the following stations and depths: Station A'1 0.2m and 0.8m had DO mg/L values of 99.99 and DOPctSat values of 999.9 20021113 station C6 0.4m, 0.6m and 3.9m had DO mg/L values of 99.99 and DOPctSat values of 999.9 20021113 station C7 19.7m and 19.9m had DO mg/L values of 99.99 and DOPctSat values of 999.9 20021113 station C8 -01m, 5.1m 18.2m, 20.0m and 21.1m had DO mg/L values of 99.99 and DOPctSat values of 999.9 20021113 station C9 26.9m had DO mg/L values of 99.99 and DOPctSat values of 999.9

    The values reported for Dissolved Oxygen: 99.99 and Percent Oxygen Saturation: 999.9 indicate dissolved oxygen concentrations were equal to or higher than 20.0 mg/L and oxygen saturation was equal to or greater than 200.0 percent.

    H02SeaBird: 20020814 station C6 at 17.331, 17.469m and 20.188m has negative OxMg/L and OxPS values.

    H02SeaBird: 20020902 C6B 0.174m density is negative


How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
1. Dataset credit required. 2. Experience with similar datasets has shown that when data are plotted or used in further analysis, outlying values may occasionally be discovered. Please report any possible problems with the data to N. Rabalais.

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

    Nancy N. Rabalais
    Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium
    Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, 8124 Hwy 56
    Chauvin, LA 70344
    USA

    985 851 2800 (voice)
    985 851 2874 (FAX)
    Unknown

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    I, the data requestor, agree to credit the data originators in any publications, reports or presentations generated from this data. I also accept that although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. I recognize that these data are best acquired from the originator and not from a secondary source. I recognize that careful attention must be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data. I will not hold Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and aggregate use with other data.

  4. How can I download or order the data?

  5. Is there some other way to get the data?

    Contact distributor


Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 05-Jun-2003
Last Reviewed: 15-Jun-2003
To be reviewed: 15-Jun-2013

Metadata author:
Ben Cole or Adam Sapp
Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium
LUMCON, 8124 Hwy 56
Chauvin, LA 70344
USA

985 851 2800 (voice)
985 851 2874 (FAX)
Unknown

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)


Generated by mp version 2.6.2 on Tue Feb 15 11:47:10 2005