Abstract:

This dataset contains hourly near-bottom currents and temperatures from an array of 24 instruments moored in the central Gulf of Mexico from 2019-06-14 to 2021-05-19. Doppler current sensors were attached 50 m above the seafloor to pressure-recording inverted echo sounders. These data were acquired to increase understanding of the Loop Current (LC) separation process and to inform LC forecasting efforts. The data are in NetCDF format. Associated data are available in datasets U1.x852.000:0005 (DOI: 10.7266/4B13NKBA, vertical acoustic travel time) and U1.x852.000:0004 (DOI: 10.7266/BZ9B3C54; pressure and temperature).

Suggested Citation:

Donohue, Kathleen, D. Randolph Watts, and Maureen Kennelly. 2022. Near-bottom current and temperature data collected in the Gulf of Mexico, 2019-06-14 to 2021-05-19. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/K4ZF1T9Z

Purpose:

Near-bottom current and temperature data from moored current and pressure recording inverted echo sounders were acquired to increase understanding of the Loop Current (LC) separation process and to inform LC forecasting efforts.

Data Parameters and Units:

Time relative to 00:00:00 1 January 2019 (days), eastward velocity, u (cm/s), northward velocity, v (cm/s), temperature (degrees Celsius) and magnetic declination (degrees).

Methods:

Near-bottom current and temperature data were acquired with Doppler current sensors attached to URI and Sonardyne pressure recording inverted echo sounders (IES). Data were processed with URI's IES processing package version 4. Hourly averages were calculated from measurements taken at 30 minute intervals.

Instruments:

Aanderaa Data Instruments Doppler current sensors and Nortek Aquadopp current sensors were tethered 50 m above URI and Sonardyne pressure recording inverted echo sounders (IES). Temperature sensors were located within each type of current sensor. The IES is moored in a rigid anchor stand.

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