Current, physical profile, and meteorological data collected as part of the Exploratory Study of Deepwater Currents in the Gulf of Mexico by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), 2003-02-28 to 2004-04-11 (NCEI Accession 0031345)
This dataset includes measurements of the following parameters: Profile Currents, currents, Temperature (water), salinity, pressure, profile CTD, PALFOS profile CTD and currents, PIES (estimates of vertical profiles of temperature, salinity, density and referenced geostrophic velocities), remote sensing (SST, SSH). The data were collected on the following cruises: LH845-03, LH846-03, LH847-03, PE04-10, PE04-12, PE04-17, TM080-04, PE04-34, PE04-35, TM084-04.
During this study fixed position moorings supporting acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCPs), fixed level current meters, and a variety of sensors to measure conductivity, temperature and pressure. Additionally, inverted echo sounders with pressure (PIES) were placed on the bottom at specific locations over the study area. This placement was coordinated with both current measurements and the coordinated remote sensing component of this study - in particular sea surface height. The final observations were provided by both profiling (PALFOS) and fixed level (RAFOS) drifters placed in the study area but allowed to drift and provide lagrangian information as well as C/T profiles where PALFOS floats rose to the surface every ten days. The primary objectives of the study were to develop an improved understanding of the conditions and processes that resulted in the documented circulation patterns in the study area and how these related to forcing mechanisms important to the overall upper and lower-layer Gulf circulation and transport. Results showed that in the relatively anomalous study interval, upper layer circulation patterns dominated Loop Current related eddies (cyclonic and anticyclonic). Relatively weak correlation could be defined between upper and lower layer circulation patterns. Lower-layer currents were apparently strongly affected by the presence of the Sigsbee Escarpment. Many measured current patterns could be related to topographic Rossby waves of various periods that varied with position relative to the Loop Current and bottom topography.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) awarded a contract to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to conduct a four-year study titled: Exploratory Study of Deepwater Currents in the Gulf of Mexico (often referred to as simply the Exploratory Study).
During this study fixed position moorings supporting acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCPs), fixed level current meters, and a variety of sensors to measure conductivity, temperature and pressure. Additionally, inverted echo sounders with pressure (PIES) were placed on the bottom at specific locations over the study area. This placement was coordinated with both current measurements and the coordinated remote sensing component of this study - in particular sea surface height. The final observations were provided by both profiling (PALFOS) and fixed level (RAFOS) drifters placed in the study area but allowed to drift and provide lagrangian information as well as C/T profiles where PALFOS floats rose to the surface every ten days. The primary objectives of the study were to develop an improved understanding of the conditions and processes that resulted in the documented circulation patterns in the study area and how these related to forcing mechanisms important to the overall upper and lower-layer Gulf circulation and transport. Results showed that in the relatively anomalous study interval, upper layer circulation patterns dominated Loop Current related eddies (cyclonic and anticyclonic). Relatively weak correlation could be defined between upper and lower layer circulation patterns. Lower-layer currents were apparently strongly affected by the presence of the Sigsbee Escarpment. Many measured current patterns could be related to topographic Rossby waves of various periods that varied with position relative to the Loop Current and bottom topography.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) awarded a contract to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to conduct a four-year study titled: Exploratory Study of Deepwater Currents in the Gulf of Mexico (often referred to as simply the Exploratory Study).
Dataset Citation
- Cite as: Waddell, Evans (2007). Current, physical profile, and meteorological data collected as part of the Exploratory Study of Deepwater Currents in the Gulf of Mexico by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), 2003-02-28 to 2004-04-11 (NCEI Accession 0031345). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0031345. Accessed [date].
Dataset Identifiers
ISO 19115-2 Metadata
gov.noaa.nodc:0031345
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Ordering Instructions | Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. |
Distributor |
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 NCEI.Info@noaa.gov |
Dataset Point of Contact |
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov |
Time Period | 2003-02-28 to 2004-04-11 |
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates |
West: -93.08
East: -79.733
South: 23.208
North: 28.497
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Data Presentation Form | Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns |
Dataset Progress Status | Complete - production of the data has been completed Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility |
Data Update Frequency | As needed |
Supplemental Information | SAIC assembled these data under USDOI Minerals Management Service contract 1435-01-02-CT-31152. |
Purpose | The Exploratory Study field measurement program as called for in the RFP and designed by SAIC's team had three primary objectives: A) Increase the deepwater current database and knowledge of deep circulation in the GOM, B) Collect measurements sufficient to estimate parameters needed to design full-scale PO studies in deepwater regions of the GOM, and C) Collect current data to test several hypotheses. |
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Last Modified: 2024-02-17T16:20:43Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov