US JGOFS Antarctic Environments Southern Ocean Process Study (AESOPS)
 
Palmer Leg 96-05, November 1996
 
Documentation file for: THE HYDROGRAPHIC BOTTLE DATA 

L.A. Codispoti (lou@ccpo.odu.edu)
Old Dominion University, October, 1997

General Comments:

This "readme" file pertains to the salinity data taken from sampling
bottles with the hydrographic rosette that was equipped with 24
~10-liter "Niskin-like" Bullister Bottles made mostly of PVC and
equipped with orange silicone o-rings during Palmer leg 96-05 (Nov.,
1996). Dr. Jack Dymond of Oregon State University was the chief
scientist during this leg (jdymond@oce.orst.edu).  This cruise was the
third AESOPS Leg on the PALMER, and its main purpose was the
emplacement of moorings, but a few CTD/hydrocasts were taken. The only
hydrographic bottle data reported here were salinity samples that were 
run on an Autosal salinometer under less than ideal temperature control
conditions.  After eliminating some questionable values, these bottle
salinities appear to be accurate to about 0.004 or better.

Some questionable data are not included in this report. These data are
retained in files at Old Dominion University and are available upon
request.

No units are given for salinity in this report because the most recent
definitions of salinity define it as a dimensionless number.  

Methods:

The method employed for the bottle salinity data does not differ
significantly from the method in the JGOFS protocols that were
distributed in 1994 (UNESCO, IOC Manual and Guide #29).

Salinities were determined with a Guildline Autosal salinometer. New
vials of standard sea-water were used to standardize before and at the
end of every run. Agreement between bottle salinities and the recently
calibrated sensors on the Sea Bird CTD systems was usually better than
0.015 (except in regions of strong gradients) before post-cruise data
processing which employs the bottle salinities to correct the CTD
salinities. More information on the quality of the salinity data is
given in the companion CTD report.  Both the CTD salinity data at the
time of bottle tripping and the salinities run on the Niskin bottle
samples with an Autosal salinometer are reported here.


Temperature:

The temperature data associated with each bottle depth were taken by
the CTD system during the bottle tripping process.  Consult the
companion CTD data report for this cruise to learn more about the CTD
system.

Sampling:

Because there is little or no lag time between triggering a bottle and
bottle closure with the new SeaBird rosette systems, bottles were
generally held at the sampling depth for 30 seconds before
tripping. This was not the case at stations 4 and 7 because of sea
conditions and proximity to a mooring at station 7.

NOTE THAT THE MID-POINT OF THE SAMPLING BOTTLES WAS 0.8 METER ABOVE
THE CTD SENSORS.  THE DATA HAVE NOT BEEN CORRECTED FOR THIS OFFSET.

ALSO NOTE THAT SOME FROZEN NUTRIENT SAMPLES WERE COLLECTED ON THIS 
LEG, AND SUBSEQUENTLY ANALYZED DURING PALMER LEG 97-01.  THESE
SAMPLES APPEARED TO SUFFER FROM VARIOUS STORAGE AND LABELING
PROBLEMS, SO THEY ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT.


If you have guestions about these data, please contact:

Dr. L.A. Codispoti
CCPO
Crittenton Hall
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 23529

lou@ccpo.odu.edu

phone: 757-683-5770
fax:   757-683-5550