Description of the 2003 oceanographic conditions on the Northeast Continental Shelf

A summary of hydrographic observations for 11 surveys on the northeast continental shelf during 2003 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 2003 were sorted into six 2-month time bins to provide broad bimonthly coverage used in the averaging method. Review of the computed areal average temperature and salinity data indicates that temperatures showed a fairly typical seasonal pattern. Salinities were found to be similar to the MARMAP reference period with the exception of surface salinity in the southern MAB. by Cristina Bascuñán, Maureen H. Taylor, and James P. Manning "September 2004." Includes bibliographical references (page 5).