Gulf of Maine Cruise Data - Transects, Special Samplings

This collection contains data acquired on cruises to the Western Gulf of Maine. Monthly cruises began in April 2002 for the REACH project with limited spatial coverage and limited measurements. Beginning in July 2004, the Coastal Observing Center merged its field work. Two transects have been established in which a full suite of measurements are made on each transect. The Coastal Transect extends north along the coast beginning at GoMOOS Buoy B and ending in the Kennebec-Androscoggin Estuary. The Wilkinson Transect extends from the Piscataqua River near Portsmouth, NH, across Jeffrey's Ledge, and into the deep waters of Wilkinson Basin. In all there are at least 12 stations sampled. Measurements include profiles of temperature, salinity, chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and inherent and apparent optical properties. Water samples are collected and analyzed for phytoplankton pigments (HPLC), nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, silicate), DOC, total alkalinity (TA), pH, and zooplankton biomass and taxa.

Data collection is ongoing up to the present.