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).

Chemical and physical oceanographic profile data were collected aboard the JACK FITZ in the Gulf of Mexico from 2010-09-04 to 2010-09-12 in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill event on April 20, 2010, by the Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU), which consists of multiple government and corporate agencies. These data include CDOM fluorescence, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, hydrostatic pressure, salinity, sound velocity, temperature and water density. The instruments used to collect these data were CTD, fluorometer and oxygen meter. These data have undergone quality assurance and control procedures to validate their scientific integrity at the National Coastal Data Development Center.

Physical and profile oceanographic data were collected aboard the ENDEAVOR in the Gulf of Mexico from 2010-06-17 to 2010-06-30 in response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill event on April 20, 2010, by the Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU), which consisted of multiple government and corporate agencies. These data include temperature. The instruments used to collect these data included CTD along with other physical sampling devices. More specific information about each dataset is located in their individual metadata records. The CTD data underwent preliminary quality assurance and control procedures at the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC). Cruise level information consisting of data management documents, cruise reports and plans, videos and pictures, and other miscellaneous documentation were gathered by the data managers.

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 and physical oceanographic profile data were collected aboard the JACK FITZ in the Gulf of Mexico from 2010-05-22 to 2010-05-31 in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill event on April 20, 2010, by the Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU), which consists of multiple government and corporate agencies. These data include conductivity, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence, hydrostatic pressure, salinity, sound velocity, temperature and water density. The instruments used to collect these data were CTD, fluorometer and oxygen meter. These data have undergone quality assurance and control procedures to validate their scientific integrity at the National Coastal Data Development Center.

Chemical and physical oceanographic profile data were collected aboard the HOS Davis in the Gulf of Mexico from 2010-08-13 to 2010-08-22 in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill event on April 20, 2010, by the Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU), which consists of multiple government and corporate agencies. These data include CDOM fluorescence, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence, hydrostatic pressure, salinity, sound velocity, temperature and water density. The instruments used to collect these data were CTD, fluorometer and oxygen meter. These data have undergone quality assurance and control procedures to validate their scientific integrity at the National Coastal Data Development Center.

Chemical and physical oceanographic profile data were collected aboard the JACK FITZ in the Gulf of Mexico from 2010-05-10 to 2010-05-13 in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill event on April 20, 2010, by the Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU), which consists of multiple government and corporate agencies. These data include conductivity, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence, hydrostatic pressure, salinity, sound velocity, temperature and water density. The instruments used to collect these data were CTD, fluorometer and oxygen meter. These data have undergone quality assurance and control procedures to validate their scientific integrity at the National Coastal Data Development Center.

Physical, chemical, and other data were collected using trawl, SeaWifs and other instruments from the GYRE from the Gulf of Mexico. Data were collected from August 1, 1999 to August 1, 2002. Data were submitted by the Texas A&M University as part of the Deepwater project.

Conductivity Temperature and Depth (CTD) measurements were collected aboard R/V Jack Fitz, Cruise 03, to determine physical oceanographic parameters of the water column, and in some cases used to help guide sample collection as part of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill sampling effort. Temperature, conductivity/salinity, depth, dissolved oxygen, and fluorometry data were collected onboard the Jack Fitz Cruise 03. The final product is a series of NetCDF files containing every CTD cast that has been processed and quality checked.

Conductivity Temperature and Depth (CTD) measurements were collected aboard R/V Jack Fitz, Cruise 01, to determine physical oceanographic parameters of the water column, and in some cases used to help guide sample collection as part of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill sampling effort. Temperature, conductivity/salinity, depth, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and fluorometry data were collected onboard the Jack Fitz Cruise 01. The final product is a series of NetCDF files containing every CTD cast that has been processed and quality checked.