Marine chemistry, fish / shell-fish surveys, benthic organisms, and marine toxic substances and pollutants data were collected using current meter and other instruments from J.W. POWELL and other platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Data were collected from 26 January 1993 to 13 June 1994. Data were submitted by Dr. Gary Wolf of Texas A&M University with support from the Gulf of Mexico Offshore Operations Monitoring Experiment (GOOMEX). Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard F069 (Marine Chemistry), F123 (Fish/Shell-fish Surveys), F132 (Benthic Organisms), and F144 (Marine Toxic Substances and Pollutants) formats. The F069 format is used for data from chemical analyses of seawater samples. Cruise information, position, date, and time is reported for each station along with sample depth, temperature, salinity, and density (sigma-t). Chemical and biochemical parameters that may be reported include: dissolved oxygen, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, inorganic phosphate, and silicate; dissolved organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, and particulate organic nitrogen; and apparent oxygen utilization, percent oxygen saturation, adenosine triphosphate, total phaeophytin, total chlorophyll, total suspended matter, total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbons, and total resolved light hydrocarbons. 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 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. The F144 contains data on ambient concentrations of toxic substances and other pollutants in the marine environment. The data derive from laboratory analyses of samples of water, sediment, or marine organisms. Samples may have been collected near marine discharge sites or during ocean monitoring surveys of large areas. Field observations of tar deposits on beaches may also be reported. Survey information includes platform type, start and end dates, and investigator and institution. If data are collected near a discharge site, discharge location, depth, distance to shore, average volume, and other characteristics are reported. Position, date, time and environmental conditions are reported for each sample station. Environmental data may include meteorological and sea surface conditions, tide stage and height, depth of the thermocline or mixed layer surface temperature and salinity, and wave height and periods. Sample characteristics, collection methods, and

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).

Benthic organisms were collected using net, sediment sampler casts, and other instruments from the R/V VENTURE in the Gulf of Mexico from 27 October 1980 to 29 April 1984. Data were submitted by the Woodward - Cycle Consultant with support from the S.W. Florida Shelf project. Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard F132- Benthic Organisms formats. 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.

Current meter data were collected using moored current meter casts in the Gulf of Mexico from December 11, 1983 to November 1, 1984. Data were submitted by Environmental Sciences and Engineering, INC. - Gainesville as part of the Gulf of Mexico SW Florida Shelf Benthic Communities project. Data were processed by NODC to the NODC standard Current Meter Data (F015) format. The F015 format is used for time series measurements of ocean currents. These data are obtained from current meter moorings and represent Eulerian method of current measurement, i.e., the meters are deployed at a fixed point and measure flow past a sensor. Position, bottom depth, sensor depth, and meter characteristics are reported for each station. The data record comprises values of east-west (u) and north-south (v) current vector components at specified date and time. Current direction is defined as the direction toward which the water is flowing with positive directions east and north and negative directions west and south. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering and are typically reported at 10-15 minute time intervals. Water temperature, pressure, and conductivity or salinity may also be reported. A text record is available for optional comments.

Current direction, zooplankton, and other data were collected using moored current meter casts and other instruments in the Gulf of Mexico from December 12, 1975 to May 20, 1980. Data were submitted by National Marine Fisheries Service as part of the Buccaneer Oil Field project. Data has been processed by NODC to the standard NODC standard F005- Current Meter Data, C100- Oceanographic Station Data, and F124- Zooplankton formats. The F005 format is used for time series measurements of ocean currents obtained using moored current-measuring instruments, principally Aanderaa current meters (manufactured by Aanderaa Instruments Inc.). These data represent the Eulerian method of current measurement, i.e., the meters are deployed at a fixed mooring point and measure flow past the sensor. Position, water depth, and sensor depth are reported for each station. The data record comprises values of current direction and speed at specified date and time. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering and are typically reported at 10-15 minute time intervals. Other environmental parameters may also be reported. These include: water temperature, salinity, conductivity, and transmissivity; wind direction and speed; and dominant wave direction, height, and period. A text field is available for optional comments. The Oceanographic Station Data format contains physical-chemical oceanographic data recorded at discrete depth levels. Most of the observations were made using multi-bottle Nansen casts or other types of water samplers. A small amount (about 5 percent) were obtained using electronic CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) or STD (salinity-temperature-depth) recorders. The CTD/STD data were reported to NODC at depth levels equivalent to Nansen cast data, however, and have been processed and stored the same as the Nansen data. Cruise information (e.g., ship, country, institution), position, date, and time, and reported for each station. The principal measured parameters are temperature and salinity, but dissolved oxygen, phosphate, total phosphorus, silicate, nitrate, nitrite, and pH may be reported. Meteorological conditions at the time of the cast (e.g., air temperature and pressure, wind, waves) may also be reported, as well as auxiliary data such as water color (Forel-Ule scale), water transparency (Secchi disk depth), and depth to bottom. Values of density (sigma-t) sound velocity, and dynamic depth anomaly are computed from measured parameters. Each station contains the measurements taken at the observed depth levels, but also includes data values interpolated to a set of standard depth levels. The F124 format is used for data from sampling and analysis of marine zooplankton. Information on zooplankton abundance, distribution, and productivity derived from these data support studies of marine populations and ecosystems. Data reported may include: cruise information, position, date, and time of sampling; bottom depth, sampling depths, temperature, and salinity; gear type, volume of water filtered, total dry and wet weight, and other data for total haul; and data for subsamples by species. Data on zooplankton catch by species may include subsample size, zooplankton concentration, life history code, and numbers of adults, juveniles, eggs, and larvae. Estimated density of holoplankton and meroplankton and data on ichthyoplankton may also be reported. A text record is available for comments. Note: there are two options for reporting subsample counts of individuals at different life history stages. If life history codes are used, only number of adults should be reported on that record. Additional separate records should then be used to report number of juveniles and so on. Alternatively, life history codes may not be used and number of adults, juveniles, and so entered in the proper fields of a single record.

Water physical, chemical, and benthic organisms data were collected using current meter and bottle casts from the H.J.W.FAY and CAPE HENLOPEN from November 3, 1976 to September 15, 1977. Data were submitted by Virginia Institute of Marine Science - Gloucester Point, as part of the Ocean Continental Shelf - Mid Atlantic (OCS - Mid Atlantic) project. Data were processed by NODC to the NODC standard Water Physical and Chemistry (F014) and Benthic Organisms (F132) format. The F014 format is designed to support studies of physical and chemical observations on the water column. Reported are measurements of temperature, salinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, orthophosphate, and organic carbon. The format consists of four data record types, 80 characters in length, sorted by station and sequence numbers for proper order. The first nine columns for all records are to be used for file type (columns 1-3) and file identifier (columns 4-9). The file identifier, to be assigned by the originator, is an unique originator id for each data submission. After submission, the NODC reassigns to this field an unique NODC identifier for internal use. 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 organisms and marine toxic substances and pollutants were collected using net casts, sediment sampler, and other instruments from the GYRE and other platforms in NW Atlantic Ocean. Data were collected from 11 November 1983 to 30 July 1986. Data were submitted by Battelle Marine Research Laboratory in New England with support from the New England Shelf and Slope Program. Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard F132- Benthic Organisms and F144- Marine Toxic Substances and Pollutants formats. 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. The F144 format contains data on ambient concentrations of toxic substances and other pollutants in the marine environment. The data derive from laboratory analyses of samples of water, sediment, or marine organisms. Samples may have been collected near marine discharge sites or during ocean monitoring surveys of large areas. Field observations of tar deposits on beaches may also be reported. Survey information includes platform type, start and end dates, and investigator and institution. If data are collected near a discharge site, discharge location, depth, distance to shore, average volume, and other characteristics are reported. Position, date, time and environmental conditions are reported for each sample station. Environmental data may include meteorological and sea surface conditions, tide stage and height, depth of the thermocline or mixed layer surface temperature and salinity, and wave height and periods. Sample characteristics, collection methods, and laboratory techniques are reported for each sample collected and analyzed. The data record comprises concentration values (or a code to indicate trace amounts) for each chemical substance analyzed. Chemical substances are identified by codes based on the registry numbers assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) of the American Chemical Society. Marine organisms from which samples have been taken are identified using the 12-digit NODC Taxonomic Code. A text record is available for optional comments.

Current components, physical, and other data were collected by moored current meters and CTD casts from the J. W. POWELL and other platforms from the Gulf of Mexico from 17 March 1993 to 28 May 1993. Data were collected by Texas A&M University (TAMU) as part of the Texas-Louisiana Shelf Circulation and Transport Processes Study (LATEX PART A). Data has been processed by NODC to the standard NODC F015-Current Meter Data (Components) and the F022-CTD High Resolutions formats. This F015 format is used for time series measurements of ocean currents. These data are obtained from current meter moorings and represent Eulerian method of current measurement, i.e., the meters are deployed at a fixed point and measure flow past a sensor. Position, bottom depth, sensor depth, and meter characteristics are reported for each station. The data record comprises values of east-west (u) and north-south (v) current vector components at specified date and time. Current direction is defined as the direction toward which the water is flowing with positive directions east and north and negative directions west and south. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering and are typically reported at 10-15 minute time intervals. Water temperature, pressure, and conductivity or salinity may also be reported. A text record is available for optional comments. The F022 format contains high-resolution data collected using CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) and STD (salinity-temperature-depth) instruments. As they are lowered and raised in the oceans, these electronic devices provide nearly continuous profiles of temperature, salinity, and other parameters. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering or obtained by interpolation and may be reported at depth intervals as fine as 1m. Cruise and instrument information, position, date, time and sampling interval are reported for each station. Environmental data at the time of the cast (meteorological and sea surface conditions) may also be reported. The data record comprises values of temperature, salinity or conductivity, density (computed sigma-t), and possibly dissolved oxygen or transmissivity at specified depth or pressure levels. Data may be reported at either equally or unequally spaced depth or pressure intervals. A text record is available for comments.

Chemical, current meter, and other data were collected using current meter, bottle, XBT, and CTD casts in the Gulf of Mexico from November 16, 1997 to August 8, 2000. Data were submitted by Texas A&M University as part of the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico Physical Oceanographic Program: Chemical Oceanography and Hydrography Study (NEGOM) project. There were nine cruises, all aboard R/V Gyre. The same 11 cross-shelf lines were occupied during each cruise. On each cruise, profiles of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence, backscatterance, PAR, and percent transmission were made with a Seabird CTD. Water samples were taken and analyzed for salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, pigments, particulate material, particulate organic carbon and particulate organic nitrogen. Many XBT probes were released. An underway flow-through system measured near-surface temperature, salinity, and fluorescence. Acoustic Doppler current profilers measured vertical profiles of currents while underway.

The three files contain trace metal data from North, Central and South Atlantic observed in bottom sediment samples along the East Coast Continental Slope and Rise region. Samples were collected from a large number of surveys from May 1983 to July 1986. These data were collected by National Marine Fisheries Service, Woods Hole for the US East Coast Continental Rise/Slope region. The documentation includes the field variables (including region, box core number, location, and type of metal recorded) and a listing of cruises.