Dispersant marker chemistry data associated with submerged sediment samples and sediment-associated water samples collected in the Gulf of Mexico from August 2010 through November 2011

The focus of this data posting is dispersant marker chemistry data associated with submerged sediment samples collected in both federal and state jurisdictional waters in the Gulf of Mexico from August 2010 through November 2011. Additionally, sediment-associated water samples (e.g., pore water, supernatant, floc, and slurp) are also provided in this data posting. More than 2,100 submerged sediment and associated water samples with associated dispersant marker chemistry analyses are included in this data posting. These samples were collected at approximately 1,295 sampling stations during 18 studies, involving many sampling cruises and/or surveys. These studies can be classified into four general categories: • NRDA Cooperative—Studies conducted as part of the NRDA which were agreed to and executed cooperatively by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), and/or other Trustees, and BP. • BP NRDA Independent—Studies conducted by BP independently to develop data to support and inform the NRDA. • Trustee Independent—Studies conducted by NOAA, DOI, and/or other Trustees independently to develop data to support and inform the NRDA. • Response (non-NRDA)—Studies conducted by BP and/or government representatives under the direction of the Unified Area Command and in association with activities performed in response to the DWH accident (the Response). Dispersant markers are chemicals present in the Corexit dispersant formulations used in response to the Deepwater Horizon accident. The chemical parameters provided in this data posting include the following dispersant markers: Dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (DPnB), Glycol ethers, Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DOSS), 2-Butoxyethanol. This dataset includes data associated with natural field samples, along with the associated field-collected quality control samples, such as field replicates, equipment blanks, field blanks, and trip blanks. Laboratory duplicate samples are provided, where available. No other laboratory quality control samples (e.g., laboratory blanks and spike samples) are included in this data posting.