Carbonate chemistry, nutrient concentration, and dissolved oxygen concentration for discreet water samples collected during multiple cruises between June 2017 to Sept 2018 within Galveston Bay, TX

These data include carbonate chemistry, nutrient concentration, and dissolved oxygen concentration for discreet water samples collected within Galveston Bay, TX. Eight single day cruises were conducted quarterly aboard the R/V Lithos or R/V Trident from June 2017 through September 2018. In addition, discreet water samples were collected at sites 10 - 60 km outside the mouth of the bay and up to 15m deep to characterize incoming seawater to the bay. These samples were collected on three cruises (WTX1 - R/V Manta, WTX3 - R/V Manta, WTX4 - R/V Pelican) in June, August, and November 2017. Discreet water samples were collected for total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon, dissolved oxygen, and dissolved nutrients. CTD profiles were collected at each sampling site.

Stochastic coastal acidification events in response to high volume rainfall and runoff that often accompanies tropical cyclone events has the potential to represent a significant threat to valuable calcifying reef ecosystems. Understanding acidification response and recovery to such events is critical to improving conservation and protection of coastal ecosystems, like oyster and coral reefs, particularly as climate change continues and tropical cyclone rainfall intensity increases. These data assess the impact of the rainfall and runoff from Hurricane Harvey on the acidification levels in Galveston Bay, TX. Samples were collected and analyzed primarily by Tacey Hicks, with assistance from other students in Dr. Katie Shamberger ’s research group, at Texas A&M University.