Description of the 2004 oceanographic conditions on the Northeast Continental Shelf

A summary of hydrographic observations for 15 surveys on the northeast continental shelf during 2004 is presented. Distributions of CTD stations, surface and bottom temperature, salinity, and anomalies are portrayed. The average surface and bottom temperatures and salinities have been calculated in five geographic regions over the northeast continental shelf: western Gulf of Maine (GOMW), eastern Gulf of Maine (GOME), Georges Bank (GB), northern Middle Atlantic Bight (MABN) and southern Middle Atlantic Bight (MABS). Time series plots from various shipboard environmental sensors are included if available. Hydrographic data collected during 2004 were sorted into six 2-month time bins to provide the best spatial coverage used in the averaging method. A comparison of the computed areal average temperature and salinity data for 2004 with the MARMAP reference values indicate that the majority of the shelf experienced relatively cold bottom temperatures and fresher salinities in all regions during the majority of the observations made during the year. by Maureen H. Taylor, Cristina Bascuñán, and James P. Manning "April 2005." Includes bibliographical references (page 6).