Dataset Available ERDDAP

Biosonics data collected in the northern Gulf of Mexico, Mobile Bay river plume, April 8-12, 2016

Authors: Sally J. Warner and James N. Moum
Published On: Nov 02 2017 18:39 UTC
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7266/N7V69H0V
UDI: R4.x260.000:0022
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Individual Files

No. of Downloads: 4

No. of Files: 38

File Size: 5.79 GB

File Format(s):
mat, png

Project Information

Funded By:
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative

Funding Cycle:
RFP-IV

Research Group:
Consortium for Oil Spill Exposure Pathways in Coastal River-Dominated Ecosystems (CONCORDE)

Point of Contact

Sally Warner
Oregon State University / College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences
swarner@coas.oregonstate.edu

Data Collection Period
2016-04-08
to
2016-04-12
Theme keywords

BioSonics, acoustic backscatter

ISO 19115-2 Metadata
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Abstract:

Data was collected on board the R/V Pelican during Leg 2 of the 2016 spring campaign (April 8-12, 2016) in the vicinity of the Mobile Bay river plume in the northern Gulf of Mexico. River plume fronts were observed on multiple occasions. There was also a wind event which drastically changed stratification. Data in this collection: 120kHz BioSonics Echosounder acoustic backscatter. Data collected simultaneously in other collections: shipboard flowthrough, shipboard navigation, shipboard meteorological [R4.x260.000:0020], ADCP [R4.x260.000:0010], CTD (74 casts) [R4.x260.000:0018], Chameleon microstructure (~4000 casts) [R4.x260.000:0019], X-Band Radar tuned to detect fronts [R4.x260.000:0021], SST, and a bow temperature/salinity chain.

Suggested Citation:

Sally J. Warner and James N. Moum. 2017. Biosonics data collected in the northern Gulf of Mexico, Mobile Bay river plume, April 8-12, 2016. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7V69H0V

Purpose:

BioSonics Acoustic Backscatter data collected using a hull-mounted BioSonics 120kHz Echosounder during April 2016 as part of the CONCORDE spring field campaign. These data allow visualization of the bottom and strong pycnoclines. The bottom is the loudest signal because the acoustic pulse reflects strongly off of the hard surface of the bottom. Pycnoclines are "visible" when acoustic pings reflect off of zooplankton and other stuff that aggregate at pycnoclines. This is especially useful for mapping the shape of river plumes.

Data Parameters and Units:

BIOSONICS: Acoustic backscatter intensity; Time (DD-MMM-YYYY HH:MM:SS), Latitude (degrees), Longitude (degrees), Total water depth (m), Din depth (m), Backscattering strength (decibels), Target strength (decibels)

Methods:

Raw data has been calibrated such that the final product gives volume backscattering strength in dB and target strength in dB. Data are then concatenated into the 19 transects over which measurements were taken. These .mat files have names like: biosonics_concatenated_transect_1.mat. Figures of each transect are included.

Instruments:

BioSonics 120 kHz narrowbeam scientific echosounder. Mounted in hull of RV Pelican.

Individual Files: