AWCP acoustic data, R/V F. G. Walton Smith cruise WS1206 and WS1304, Mississippi Canyon, Gulf of Mexico, spring 2012 and 2013

Two research cruises, one in 2012 and one in 2013, were conducted in the Gulf of Mexico to continue to monitor the microbial and planktonic communities and to assess rates of particle flux and the rates of removal of PAHs from the system via this process and accumulation of PAHs in bottom sediments. Acoustic backscatter data was collected in the upper the water column (0-50 m). These data complement the mesozooplankton community data to assess finescale distribution of mesozooplankton in the upper water column in the Gulf of Mexico.