Beginning in late 1979, the Alabama Coastal Area Board (CAB) funded a series of baseline surveys on the coastal resources of Alabama, from which they could develop a monitoring program to observe any significant changes in the resources over time. Eight stations within Mobile Bay, Alabama were sampled monthly from April 1980 to April 1981. Data collected included samples for benthic fauna, pelagic fauna, sediment particle size, total organic carbon, foraminifera, zooplankton, phytoplankton, chlorophyll, turbidity, river flow, and hydrographic parameters. The subset of data presented here are for the benthic fauna, which were sampled by 0.1 m^2 Peterson grab. Fauna were enumerated and identified to the lowest taxon possible, and mainly included crustaceans, molluscs, polychaetes, and echinoderms. Data in readily accessible digital form are available from April 1980 to February 1981.

This dataset contains physical, chemical, and biological data collected during ten years of near-monthly shipboard surveys carried out in Mobile Bay between May 1989 and December 1999. Station locations ranged from the Mobile River delta to the mouth of Mobile Bay, from Bon Secour to the eastern part of Mississippi Sound, and outside Mobile Bay in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Hydrographic profiles and water samples were collected at each station.

Chemical, benthic organisms, and other data were collected using moored current meter casts and other instruments in the Gulf of Mexico from November 11, 1983 to November 13, 1984. Data were submitted by Alaska Research Associates, Inc., as part of the Gulf of Mexico North Continental Slope Study (MNCSS) project. Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard F004 Water Physics and Chemistry, F123 Fish Shellfish Resource, and F132 Benthic Organisms formats. The F004 format is used for data from measurements and analyses of physical and chemical characteristics of the water column. Among chemical parameters that may be recorded are salinity, pH, and concentration of oxygen, ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, chlorophyll, and suspended solids. Physical parameters that may be recorded include temperature, density (sigma-t), transmissivity, and current velocity (east-west and north-south components). Cruise and station information, including environmental conditions of the study site at the time of observations, is also included. The F123 format is used for data from field sampling of marine fish and shellfish. The data derive from analysis of midwater or bottom tow catches and provide information on population density and distribution. Cruise information, position, date, time, gear type, fishing distance and duration, and number of hauls are reported for each survey. Environmental data may include meteorological conditions, surface and bottom temperature and salinity, and current direction and speed. Bottom trawl or other gear dimensions and characteristics are also reported. Catch statistics (e.g., weight, volume, number of fish per unit volume) may be reported for both total haul and for individual species. Biological characteristics of selected specimens, predator/ prey information (from stomach contents analysis), and growth data may also be included. A text record is available for comments. The F132 format contains data from field sampling or surveys of bottom dwelling marine organisms. The data provide information on species abundance, distribution, and biomass; they may have been collected by point sampling (grab or core), by tow (dredge, trawl or net), by photographic surveys, or by other methods. Cruise information such as vessel, start and end dates, investigator, and institution/agency; station numbers, positions and times; and equipment and methods are reported for each survey. Environmental data reported at each sampling site may include meteorological and sea surface conditions; surface and bottom temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen; and sediment characteristics. Number of individual organisms and total weight of organisms is reported for each species. A text record is available for comments.

Benthic sediment samples were collected from eleven stations in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta on 17 June 1981. Samples were analyzed for particle size distribution characteristics. At least eight were near the wastewater discharge pipes of industrial sites, and at least two were not near potential sources of water pollution.

The Water Quality Act of 1987 established the National Estuary Program, which has as one of its objectives the formation of citizen groups for monitoring the quality of coastal waters. One such group that formed to monitor Mobile Bay was called Baywatch. Under the guidance of Dr. George Crozier of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), and in association with the Mobile Field Office of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), citizens were trained to collect and analyze water samples once a week between 10am and 2pm for 50 stations located in the Mobile Bay delta, Mississippi Sound, Weeks Bay, Perdido Bay, and several local streams. Parameters measured included water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, air temperature, and rainfall. Water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were measured from both surface and bottom waters where possible. The purpose of this study was to provide a better understanding of the processes affecting the waters of coastal Alabama.

Data from a monthly survey of Mobile Bay between April 1980 and August 1981. Extant data from the MESC Data Management System include sediment particle size distribution, discrete hydrography, identification and enumeration of benthic fauna, and identification and enumeration of water column biota.

Benthic organisms data were collected using sediment sampler and net casts BELLOWS and other platforms in the Gulf of Mexico from 16 May 1974 to 20 February 1978. Data were collected and submitted by Dr. William Sackett of Texas University with support from the Outer Continental Shelf project. The data are from field sampling or surveys of bottom dwelling marine organisms in F132 format. The data provide information on species counts and species wet weight from samples collected by point sampling (grab or core) or by tow (dredge or trawl). Three operational kinds of data include: Epifauna, Infauna, and Meiofauna benthic organisms data that roughly correspond to the different sampling methods and collecting institutions that were part of this study. Cruise information such as vessel, start and end dates, investigator, and institution/agency; station numbers, positions and times; and equipment and methods are reported for each survey. Number of individual organisms or total weight of all organisms in the sample is reported for each taxonomic category identified by the researchers (often to Genus and Species taxonomic resolution).

Bimonthly surveys of benthic fauna were conducted at four sites in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta from November 1981 to September 1982. Two sites were at the upper reaches of the river delta, and two were at the mouth. Fauna were enumerated and identified to lowest taxon possible. Hydrographic data were also collected, including temperature, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen.

These data were collected to evaluate the best measures of the effect of contaminants on the biota to be used as part of the National Status and Trends Program. Sediment and benthic samples were collected in coastal waters around San Francisco Bay, specifically from the Russian River to Santa Cruz. The samples were collected from November 1, 1986 to February 27, 1987. Each sample was tested for trace metal and organic compound concentrations, organic carbon and texture. The originator's data are in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet submitted by Dr. Edward Long from NOS/CEAB. They are documented in the NOAA technical memorandum nos OMA 45 (1989) titled "An Evaluation of Candidate Measures of Biological Effects for the National Status and Trends Program".

Benthic organism were collected using sediment sampler, BT, and bottle casts from the EASTWARD and other platforms in the Georges' Bank from 10 July 1981 to 08 June 1984. Data were submitted by the Battelle Marine Research Laboratory in New England with support from Ocean Continental Shelf - Georges' Bank project. The F132 format contains data from field sampling or surveys of bottom dwelling marine organisms. The data provide information on species abundance, distribution, and biomass; they may have been collected by point sampling (grab or core), by tow (dredge, trawl or net), by photographic surveys, or by other methods. Cruise information such as vessel, start and end dates, investigator, and institution/agency; station numbers, positions and times; and equipment and methods are reported for each survey. Environmental data reported at each sampling site may include meteorological and sea surface conditions; surface and bottom temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen; and sediment characteristics. Number of individual organisms and total weight of organisms is reported for each species. A text record is available for comments.