OCS Study 

MMS 96-0030 

Texas-Louisiana Shelf Circulation 

and Transport Processes Study: 

Year 3, Annual Report 

U.S . Department of the Interior 

Minerals Management Service 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region 
OCS Study 

MMS 96-0030 

Texas-Louisiana Shelf Circulation 

and Transport Processes Study: 

Year 3, Annual Report 

Editors 

Maureen E . Reap 

Ann E. Jochens 

Worth D . Nowlin, Jr. 

Prepared under MMS Contract 

14-35-0001-30509 

by 

Texas A&M University 

College Station, Texas 77843-3146 

Published by 

U .S . Department of the Interior 

Minerals Management Service New Orleans 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region July 1996 
iii 

DISCLAIMER 

This report was prepared under contract between the Minerals Management Service 

(MMS) and the Texas A&M Research Foundation. This report has been technically 

reviewed by the MMS and approved for publication . Approval does not signify that the 

contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Service, nor does mention of 

trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. 

It is, however, exempt from review and compliance with MMS editorial standards . 

REPORT AVAILABILITY 

Extra copies of the report may be obtained from the Public Information Unit (Mail Stop 

5034) at the following address : 

U.S . Department of the Interior 

Minerals Management Service 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Regional Office 

1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard 

New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 

Attention: Public Information Unit (MS 5034) 

Telephone Number: 1-800-200-4853 

CITATION 

Reap, M.E., A.E . Jochens, and W.D. Nowlin, Jr., eds . 1996. Texas-Louisiana Shelf 

Circulation and Transport Processes Study : Year 3, Annual Report. OCS Study 

MMS 96-0030, U.S . Dept . of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of 

Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA. 82 pp. 
v 

ABSTRACT 

The Louisiana-Texas Shelf Physical Oceanography Program (LATEX) is supported by 

the Minerals Management Service of the U. S . Department of the Interior. The Texas 

A&M University System is conducting Study Unit A of LATEX, the Texas-Louisiana 

Shelf Circulation and Transport Processes Study (LATEX A) . The third field year of 

LATEX A was April 1994 through December 1994. Data were collected from an array 

of current meter moorings, bottom wave recorders, meteorological buoys, drifting buoys, 

and hydrographic and acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) surveys on the TexasLouisiana continental shelf in the Gulf of Mexico. Historical and concurrent data from 

other programs in this region also were collected. 

The current meter array consisted of 67 current meters measuring current speed and 

direction, temperature, and conductivity on 28 stations ; five directional wave gauges 

measuring current speed and direction, temperature, and pressure ; and one inverted echo 

sounder measuring acoustic travel time and bottom temperature and pressure. Eight 

meteorological buoys were installed on the shelf to measure wind speed and direction, air 

and sea surface temperature, and barometric pressure. Six drifting buoys were deployed 

and provided information on their locations and sea surface temperature via satellite . 

Three hydrographic/ADCP surveys were conducted with at least 170 hydrographic 

sampling stations per survey and continuous ADCP measurements along the cruise track. 

At each hydrographic sampling station continuous profiles were made of conductivity, 

temperature, dissolved oxygen, downwelling irradiance, particle scattering, fluorescence, 

and beam attenuation . Up to 12 water samples were taken at each station and analyzed 

for six nutrients: nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate, urea, and ammonium. At 100 or 

more stations, water samples were analyzed for dissolved oxygen, salinity, phytoplankton 

pigments, and surface and bottom particulate matter concentrations . Secchi disk depths 

were taken at each daylight station . Meteorological measurements were transmitted via 

the Global Telecommunications System four times a day . The instrumentation as well as 

calibration and sampling procedures are described in Jochens and Nowlin (1994b and 

1995). 

The collected data were subjected to quality control/assurance procedures as described or 

referenced in Jochens and Nowlin (1994b and 1995). They then were archived with the 

LATEX A Data Management Office and are regularly transmitted to the National 

Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) . It should be noted that all LATEX data are still 

considered preliminary . Only after the final synthesis is well along will final data sets be 

submitted to the NODC. This will allow the maximum number of errors to be corrected . 

LATEX A initiated or maintained data sharing agreements with more than 20 other 

programs or researchers during the third field year. 

Information regarding LATEX has been disseminated in various ways . Plans and reports, 

meeting announcements, weekly drifter trajectories and meteorological summaries, and 

the LATEX calendar were posted to the GULF.MEX bulletin board on the electronic mail 

service ScienceNet of Omnet. The Defense Mapping Agency, U.S . Navy Submarine 

Command, and the United States Coast Guard were regularly advised regarding changes 

in LATEX A mooring positions and deployments . In February 1995, a meeting on the 

oceanography of the LATEX region was held in Baton Rouge, LA. It was well attended 

by representatives from LATEX A, B, and C, state and federal agencies, other concurrent 

research programs, and the LATEX Science Advisory Panel . The LATEX Forhaightly 

News was published bi-weekly until 31 December 1994 . It contained news and 

announcements regarding the LATEX programwas and was mailed to approximately 
vi 

2500 addressees . LATEX A scientists presented talks or papers at a variety of forums 

during the period covered by this report. 

Assembly is underway of collateral and historical data that will be of assistance in the 

interpretation synthesis of the LATEX data. These data sets contain information from 

pertinent historical reports of physical oceanographic work in the Gulf of Mexico and 

from other programs collecting physical oceanographic and meteorological data during 

the LATEX field years. 
vii 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE 

LIST OF FIGURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi 

LIST OF TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii 

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii 

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

1 .1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

1 .2 Field Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

1 .2.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

1 .2 .2 Moored Measurements and Winter Cyclogenesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

1 .2 .3 Drifting Buoy Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

1 .2 .4 Hydrographic/ADCP Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

1 .3 Collateral Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

1 .4 Observations/Model Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

1 .5 Government Furnished Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

1 .6 Third Annual Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

2 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

2.1 Programmatic Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

2.2 Overview of Cruise Schedule and Nomenclature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

2 .3 Report Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

3 DATA ACQUISITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

3 .1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

3 .2 Moored Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

3.2 .1 Mooring Maintenance Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

3 .2 .1 .1 Cruise M15CPW9406 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

3 .2 .1 .2 Cruise M16CSS9416 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

3 .2 .1 .3 Cruise M17CUS9417 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

3 .2 .1 .4 Cruise M 18CGY9411 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

3 .2 .2 Instrumentation, Calibration, and Sampling Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

3 .2 .3 Summary of Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

3 .2 .3 .1 Current Meter Data and Maximum Currents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

3 .2 .3 .2 Wave Gauge Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

3 .2 .3 .3 Meteorological Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 
viii 

TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) 

PAGE 

4 

5 

3.2 .3 .4 Cyclogenesis Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

3 .2 .3 .5 IES Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

3.3 Drifting Buoy Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

3 .3 .1 Deployment Times and Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

3 .3 .2 Instrumentation and Sampling Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

3 .3 .3 Summary of Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

3.4 Hydrographic Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

3 .4 .1 Synopsis of Hydrographic Surveys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

3.4 .1 .1 Cruise H08CGY9401 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 

3.4 .1 .2 Cruise H09CPW9410 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 

3.4 .1 .3 Cruise H10CGY9409 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

3 .4.2 Instrumentation, Calibration, and Sampling Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 

3 .4.3 Summary of Hydrographic Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 

3.5 Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 

3 .6 Collateral Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 

3 .6 .1 Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 

3 .6 .2 Concurrent Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 

3 .6 .3 Historical Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 

DATA QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 

4 .1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 

4 .2 Moored Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 

4 .3 Drifting Buoy Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 

4 .4 Hydrographic Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 

4.5 Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 

DATA MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION TRANSFER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 

5 .1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 

5 .2 Data Archiving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 

5 .3 Data Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 

5 .4 Information Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 

5 .4 .1 GULF.MEX Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 

5 .4 .2 Public Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 

5 .4 .3 LATEX Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 
1X 

TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) 

PAGE 

5 .4 .4 The LATEX Fortnightly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 

6 REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 
X1 

LIST OF FIGURES 

FIGURE DESCRIPTION PAGE 

1 .2 .1 Moored array locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

1 .2 .2 Typical hydrography/ADCP cruise track and station locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

3.2 .1 Mooring locations and maintenance intervals for the third field year. . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

3.2 .2 Current meter data recovered during the third field year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

3.2 .3 Timelines of Mini Spec data returns during the third field year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 

3 .2 .4 Meteorological buoy data recovered during the third field year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 

3 .4 .1 CTD stations and cruise track, LATEX H08. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

3 .4 .2 CTD stations and cruise track, LATEX H09. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 

3 .4 .3 CTD stations and cruise track, LATEX H 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 
X111 

LIST OF TABLES 

TABLE DESCRIPTION PAGE 

1 .2 .1 Typical mooring configurations for the third field year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

2.2 .1 Cruise identifiers and dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

3.2 .1 Mooring configurations as of April 1994. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

3.2 .2 Mooring maintenance by cruise for the third field year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

3.2 .3 LATEX current meter data, April 1994 - December 1994. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

3.2 .4 Maximum speed and corresponding direction observed in 40-hr lowpassed current records from each mooring during the third field year. . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

3 .2 .5 MiniSpec directional wave gauge deployment data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 

3 .2 .6 Meteorological data recovered April -December 1994. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 

3 .2 .7 Winter cyclogenesis over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico 

April through December 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

3 .3 .1 LATEX A drifter deployment dates and disposition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

3 .4.1 Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H08 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

3 .4 .2 Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H09. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 

3 .4 .3 Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 

3 .4 .4 Hydrographic equipment available on each hydrography cruise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 

3.4 .5 Summary of data collected and scientific participation in the LATEX A 

standard grid hydrography surveys in the third field year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 

3 .4 .6 Complementary programs on LATEX A hydrography surveys in the 

third field year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 

3 .5 .1 ADCP data collection and configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 

3 .6 .1 Collateral and historical data assembled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 

5.3 .1 LATEX A data shared with others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 

5.4 .1 Agenda for the LATEX IV meeting, February 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 

5 .4 .2 Volume 3 LATEX Fortnightly News, 11 April - 15 December 1994. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 
XV 

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 

ADCP acoustic Doppler current profiler 

CTD conductivity-temperature-depth 

EHI Evans-Hamilton, Inc. 

GMT Generic Mapping Tool software 

GPS Global Positioning System 

HPLC high performance liquid chromatography 

IES inverted echo sounder 

LATEX Louisiana-Texas Shelf Physical Oceanography Program 

LATEX A Texas-Louisiana Shelf Circulation and Transport Processes Study 

(also called LATEX Shelf 

LATEX B Mississippi River Plume Hydrography Study 

LATEX C Gulf of Mexico Eddy Circulation Study 

LSU Louisiana State University 

MMA Maine Maritime Academy 

MMS Minerals Management Service, U.S . Department of the Interior 

MN motor vessel 

NDBC National Data Buoy Center 

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

NODC National Oceanographic Data Center 

NWS National Weather Service 

QA/QC quality assurance/quality control 

R/V research vessel 

SAIL Science Applications International Corporation 

SAP LATEX Science Advisory Panel 

TAMU Texas A&M University 

TAMUG Texas A&M University at Galveston 

USCG United States Coast Guard 

USM University of Southern Mississippi 

UTC universal coordinated time 

XBT expendable bathythermograph probe 
XVll 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

This report would not have been possible without the contributions of a large number of 

people from Texas A&M University, Louisiana State University, Evans-Hamilton, Inc ., 

Maine Maritime Academy, and the University of Southern Mississippi . We thank the 

principal investigators who contributed text to this volume : Ann Jochens (Program 

Management, Task A-8), Denis Wiesenburg (Task A-3), Doug Biggs (Task A-4), and 

S .A . Hsu (Task A-6). 

The editors were assisted greatly by the efforts and contributions of the LATEX A staff at 

TAMU. Special thanks to Yongxiang Li, Matt Howard, Steve DiMarco, Woody Lee, 

Debz DeFreitas, Frank Kelly, and Jodi Hughes for providing text, information, and 

graphics . The help of student workers Marinda Smith and Paul Griffin is much 

appreciated. 

To all who participated on the seven LATEX A cruises during the third field year we 

extend our great appreciation . Special thanks go to Chief Scientists Bob Hamilton 

(mooring maintenance cruises) and Carrie Neuhard Lyons (hydrography cruises) . The 

LATEX science crews included Ken Bottom, Mark Garner, Dennis Guffy, Rick O'Neill, 

Mark Spears, and Eddie Webb of the Technical Support Services Group, Department of 

Oceanography, TAMU; Bob Albers, Mike Fredericks, Jim Jobling, Chris Nugent, Erik 

Quiroz and John Shannon of the Geochemical and Environmental Research Group 

(GERG), TAMU; Paula Bontempi, graduate student in the Department of Oceanography, 

TAMU; Joel Chaky, Ken Fitzgerald, and Rod Fredericks of the Coastal Studies Institute 

at LSU; Brian W. Blanchard of LSU; and Chuck Abbott, Jeff Cox, Doug Evans, Troy 

Horton, Dan Howard, Keith Kurrus, and Eric Noah of EHI . LATEX field operations 

were also assisted by EHI's land crew Barbara Allen and Jackie Abert. 

We thank Roger Fay for his work in coordinating logistic and onshore support for the 

current meter cruises. No data could have been collected without outstanding work by 

the crews of the vessels ; thus, our thanks to Captain Mike Field of the R/V Gyre, 

Captains Dana Dyre and Pat Sherrard of the RN J. W. Porvell, and to their crews. Captain 

Dean Letzring and Sandra Green of Marine Operations, Department of Oceanography, 

TAMU, offered assistance with many aspects of the LATEX cruises . Their unfailing 

cooperation is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks also to the project administration staff of the Texas A&M Research Foundation. 

At the RF, our greatest debt of gratitude is owed to Phyllis Bonifazi and Charlene Miller . 

Maureen E . Reap 

Ann E. Jochens 

Worth D. Nowlin, Jr . 
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

1 .1 Introduction 

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the U.S . Department of the Interior 

supports the Louisiana-Texas Shelf Physical Oceanography Program (LATEX). LATEX 

is divided into parts: Study Unit A, Texas-Louisiana Shelf Circulation and Transport 

Processes (LATEX A or LATEX Shelf) ; Study Unit B, Mississippi River Plume 

Hydrography (LATEX B or LATEX Plume) ; and Study Unit C, Gulf of Mexico Eddy 

Circulation (LATEX C or LATEX Eddy). LATEX A, the largest of the three studies, 

covers the middle and outer Texas-Louisiana continental shelf from the Mississippi River 

to the Rio Grande. This report concentrates on the work of LATEX A during the third 

field year, April through December 1994 . Per the contract, this report does not contain 

detailed analyses or interpretation of the data collected. 

The Texas A&M University System, a combination of Texas institutions of higher 

learning and Texas state agencies dedicated to training, research, and extension, conducts 

the LATEX A Program. The contract for LATEX A was awarded to the Texas A&M 

Research Foundation on 30 September 1991 . In addition to support from the MMS, 

financial backing for LATEX A is provided by the Texas Institute of Oceanography, the 

Texas Engineering Experiment Station, and Texas A&M University (TAMU), all 

components of the System . The System is assisted in this program by subcontracts with 

Evans-Hamilton, Inc . (EHI), Louisiana State University (LSU), Maine Maritime 

Academy (MMA), and the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). 

The major objective of LATEX A is to identify key dynamical processes governing 

circulation, transport, and cross-shelf mixing on the Texas-Louisiana shelf. This 

objective will be met through the completion of a three-year field program over the 

Texas-Louisiana continental shelf, after which observations will be synthesized, 

interpreted, and reported . 

The LATEX A Program is overseen by the Program Management Office, under Dr. 

Worth D . Nowlin, Jr., Program Manager, and Dr. Ann E. Jochens, Deputy Program 

Manager. Data collection is accomplished through six tasks : 

" Current and Meteorological Measurement Moorings (Task A-1) 

Mr. Robert C. Hamilton of EHI, Principal Investigator 

" ARGOS-Tracked Drifting Buoys (Task A-2) 

Dr. Worth D. Nowlin, Jr., of TAMU, Principal Investigator 

" Standard Grid Hydrography (Task A-3) 

Dr. Denis A. Wiesenburg of USM, Principal Investigator 

" Acoustic Doppler Current Surveys (Task A-4) 

Dr. Douglas C. Biggs of TAMU, Principal Investigator 

" Collateral Data Collection (Task A-5) 

Dr. Norman L. Guinasso, Jr., of TAMU, Principal Investigator 

" Winter Northers/Cyclogenesis (Task A-6) 

Dr. S .A. Hsu of LSU, Principal Investigator 

Data quality control and processing are provided under Task A-7 by the LATEX A Data 

Management Office at the direction of Dr. Norman L . Guinasso, Jr., Data Manager. 

Additionally, the Data Office oversees Task A-10, Information Transfer, under which the 
2 

GULF.MEX electronic bulletin board on Omnet was maintained, and Task A-11, Public 

Notification, Cooperation, and Data Dissemination, under which the LATEX Fortnightly 

newsletter was published and information provided to federal agencies and the public . 

Once data have undergone quality control, the analysis phase of LATEX A begins . There 

are three tasks under this phase: First is the Analyses and Reports task (Task A-8, Dr. 

Worth D. Nowlin, Jr., and Dr. Ann E. Jochens of TAMU, Co-Principal Investigators) 

under which the scientific analyses and syntheses of the data are performed and annual 

reports to MvIS are prepared and finalized. Second is the Field Measurements/Model 

Comparisons task (Task A-9, Professor Robert O. Reid of TAMU, Principal Investigator) 

to compare the LATEX observational data with model results; the LATEX Science 

Advisory Panel is supported under this task. Third is the analysis portion of Task A-6. 

All equipment provided by MMS will be refurbished and returned to the Service under 

the Government Furnished Equipment/Capital Equipment task (Task A-12, Mr. Robert C. 

Hamilton, Principal Investigator) . 

1 .2 Field Activities 

1 .2 .1 Introduction 

Four mooring cruises and three hydrographic/ADCP survey cruises were conducted 

during the third field year. From April 1994 through December 1994, data were collected 

from an array of current meter moorings, meteorological buoys, drifting buoys, and 

hydrographic/ADCP surveys on the Texas-Louisiana continental shelf in the Gulf of 

Mexico. The data sets then were processed for quality assurance and quality control . 

1 .2.2 Moored Measurements and Winter Cycloaenesis 

Task A-1 provided a shelf-wide network of current, temperature, salinity, and 

meteorological time series with which to identify, characterize, and parameterize 

circulation processes. The moored array in year two consisted of a boundary array along 

the shelf edge, cross-shelf arrays for study of along-shelf transports, and a deep-water 

inverted echo sounder to monitor the westward passage of rings into the Texas-Louisiana 

shelf region . Task A-6 deployed and maintained four meteorological buoys during the 

winter season for the study of cyclogenesis resulting from cold air outbreaks over the 

Texas-Louisiana shelf. 

The current meter array consisted of 67 current meters measuring current speed and 

direction, temperature, and conductivity on 28 moorings ; five directional wave gauges 

measuring current speed and direction, temperature, and pressure near the sea floor; and 

one inverted echo sounder measuring acoustic travel time and bottom temperature and 

pressure . Eight meteorological buoys, including four Task A-6 buoys, were installed on 

the shelf to measure wind speed and direction, air and sea surface temperature, and 

barometric pressure. Table 1 .2 .1 lists the instrumentation typically deployed on each 

mooring and the maintenance schedule. Figure 1 .2 .1 shows the mooring locations. 

Both the moored measurement and winter cyclogenesis tasks were curtailed in December 

1994, by mutual agreement between MMS and LATEX A. This was done to conserve 

funding and provide more time for the analysis and synthesis efforts of the LATEX A 

Program. 
3 

Table 1 .2 .1 . Typical mooring configurations for the third field year. 

Mooring 

No. ~ 

Water 

Depth 

(m) 

Latitude 

(°M 

Longitude 

(°W) Comments 

Top 

Meter 

Depth 

Middle 

Meter 

Depth 

Bottom 

Meter 

Depth 

Maintenance 

Interval 

(Day) 

1 13 27°19.40' 97°18 .42' Platform lOm 19m 120 

2 37 27017.03' 96°58 .82' Platform lOm 30m 120 

3 66 27'17.35' 96°44.18' Platform l Om 30m 61 m 120 

4 201 27°07.82' 96021 .65' Marker Buoy 14m 100m 190m 120 

5 199 27°27.82' 96°04.12' Marker Buoy 14m 100m 190m 120 

6 201 27°42.62' 95°38 .83' Marker Buoy 14m 100m 190m 120 

7 199 27°50.12' 95°04.05' Marker Buoy 14m 100m 190m 120 

8 200 27°49 .52' 94°10.52' Marker Buoy 14m 100m 190m 120 

9 200 27°48.82' 93°32 .78' Marker Buoy 14m 100m 190m 120 

10 200 27056.13' 92°4=1 .63' Marker Buoy 14m 100m 190m 120 

11 200 27°50.55' 92°00.10' Marker Buoy 14m IOOm 190m 120 

12 Removed 

13 200 28°03.33' 90°29.32' Marker Buoy 14m 100m 190m 120 

14 48 28°23.75' 90°29.63' Platform 14m 26m 42m 60 

15 27 28°36.48' 90°29.5' Platform lOm 24m 60 

16 16 28°56.33' 90°29.40' Platform lOm 17m 60 

17 8 29'l 1 .87' 91 °57.90' Met Buoy; Platform 3m Sm 60 

18 22 28°57.73' 91 °59.03' Platform l Om 21 m 60 

19 53 28°27.90' 92°02 .27' Met Buoy; Platform 3m 21 m 4-lm 60 

20 13 29030.03' 94001 .42' Met Buoy; Platform 3m 13m 60 

21/51 25 28°50.27' 94°0-1 .80' Met Buoy; Platform lOm 21m 60 

22 5-1 28°21 .33' 93°57 .33' Met Buoy; Platform 

. 

3m 20m 48m 60 

23 15 28°42.82' 95°32 .20' Platform 9m 13m 60 

24 27 28°32.22' 95°23 .58' Platform 11 m 27m 60 

25 Removed 

42 Removed 

43 Lost 

dl Removed 

45 Removed 

46 Removed 

48 201 27'8.98' 91'17 .13' Marker Buoy 14m 100m 190m 120 

49 498 27°22.95' 95°54.02' Marker Buoy 14m 100m 495m 180 

50 20 28°52.86' 95°02.20' filet Buoy; Platform 60 

51/21 25 28°50.28' 9d°0=3J9' Met Buoy; Platform lOm 21 m 60 

52 27 28°48 .18' 93°OL 11' Met Buoy; Platform 60 

53 13 28°=38 .Od' 90°57.22' Met Buoy; Platform 60 

MetBuoy = DSI Surface Meteorological Buoy; Marker Buoy = Lighted Surface Marker Buoy; 

IES = Inverted Echo Sounder; blank = No instrument ; Platform = Mooring located near permanent structure 
LOUISIANA 

30 ' N OC 

29 ' N 

28 ' N -5 0 

W( 114 

042 

27 ' N 

26 ' N -- /N --- - s 

97'W 96'W 95'W 94'W 93'W 92'W 91'W 90'W 

Houst n ~~ ~ ew Orlear~s 

TEXAS 

Galvest ~ 

O 

20 

i~ 

23 

50 21/51 52 18 \jp O16 53 

~/ 

~ 9 7 5 200 

O 24 

" 

1 

50 

~o ae ~a 

200 7 8 e 9 11 v 

d s 1000 

1 2 .3 049 

Maintenance 

O 60 days 2000 

" 120 days 

D 180 d ays 

" 360 days 

Fibure 1 .2 .1 . Moored array locations . 
1 .2 .3 Drifting Buoy Measurements 

Task A-2 deployed a total of sixteen drifters over the three field years to study the 

continunity of alongshore flow. During the third field year, three drifters were deployed 

on the middle and outer shelf near 94°W on 1 May 1994 (cruise H08) . Three more 

drifters, given to LATEX A by SAIC, were deployed 3 November (cruise H10) . All six 

provided information on their locations, and thus, horizontal currents, and sea surface 

temperature via satellite. 

1 .2.4 Hydro2raphic/ADCP Measurements 

Tasks A-3 and A-4 conducted hydrographic/ADCP survey work to characterize the 

seasonal patterns of circulation and water mass characteristics and to allow initial 

assessment of interannual variability. The ADCP surveys performed on all hydrographic 

cruises provided vertical profiles of horizontal currents . Three full-shelf surveys were 

completed during the third field year. Figure 1 .2.2 shows a typical cruise track and 

station locations . At each hydrographic sampling station, continuous profiles were made 

of conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, downwelling irradiance, particle 

scattering, fluorescence, and percent transmission (which gives the paricle beam 

attenuation coefficient) . Up to 12 water samples were taken at each station and analyzed 

for six nutrients : nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate, urea, and ammonium. At half or 

more of the stations, water samples were analyzed for dissolved oxygen, salinity, 

phytoplankton pigments, and the surface and bottom particulate matter concentrations . 

Secchi disk depths were taken at each daylight station . Meteorological measurements 

were recorded for input to the National Weather Service . Complementary research 

programs were conducted on each of the cruises. 

1 .3 Collateral Data 

Task A-5 consists of information from historical or concurrent physical oceanography 

programs on the Texas-Louisiana shelf or adjacent Gulf of Mexico. These data are 

collected to augment the LATEX A data set and to aid in interpretations. Most historical 

information was compiled during the first field year, although that compilation continues. 

Concurrent data were obtained from numerous other programs collecting oceanographic 

data in the LATEX region during the third field year, including data from LATEX B and 

C and weather buoy data from NOAA. 

1 .4 Observations/Model Comparison 

The LATEX Science Advisory Panel (SAP) was formed to assist with observation/model 

comparisons . The current panelists are : Dr. John S . Allen, Chairman (Oregon State 

University), Prof. John D. Cochrane (Texas A&M University, retired), Dr. Gabriel T . 

Csanady (Old Dominion University), Dr. Richard W. Garvine (University of Delaware), 

Dr. Dong-Ping Wang (SUNY-Stony Brook), Dr. Clinton D. Winant (Scripps Institution 

of Oceanography), and Dr. William J . Wiseman, Jr. (Louisiana State University). One 

meeting of the SAP was held in Baton Rouge, 21-23 February 1995 . 

1 .5 Government Furnished Equipment 

Final inventory, refurbishment, and redistribution of the equipment furnished to the 

LATEX A Program by MMS was begun during the third field year. Equipment was 

transferred at MMS' direction to investigators at LSU, the Chevron Oil Co ., and Florida 
30 

29 

28 

27 

26 

-97 -96 -95 -94 -93 -92 -91 -90 -89 

OIN 

Figure 1 .2 .2 . Typical hydrography/ADCP cruise track and station locations . 
State University during 1995 . MMS-owned equipment remaining under LATEX A 

custodianship is being refurbished preparatory to return to the Service . 

1 .6 Third Annual Report 

This third annual report focuses on the data collection and processing activities of 

LATEX A. It contains no detailed analyses of the data. Examples of products can be 

found in the first annual report (Jochens and Nowlin 1994a and b) and in the second 

(Jochens and Nowlin 1995). 

The LATEX Synthesis Report, in preparation, will contain discussions of all data 

analyses carried out and will incorporate discussions of interpretive work completed by 

LATEX B and C. A draft of this report will be submitted to MMS in November of 1996. 
9 

2 .1 Programmatic Changes 

2 INTRODUCTION 

With MMS encouragement and approval, the current measurement mooring program was 

shortened in the third field year. This was done to conserve funds for the purpose of data 

analysis . The mooring program was originally planned to end in April 1995; however, all 

LATEX A deployments were removed from the Gulf by 7 December 1994. Measurements for the winter cyclogenesis study ended at the same time . 

To ensure that the last three hydrographic/ADCP cruises could complete full-shelf 

surveys, two MMS approved modifications to the hydrographic program were 

implemented beginning in April 1994. First, we eliminated closely-spaced stations (5-km 

separation) on cross-shelf transects and, when time permitted, extended each transect 

seaward by two stations into water depth of 1000 m. Examination of cross-shelf scales of 

variability in temperature, salinity, and resulting geopotential anomaly, based on 

historical as well as LATEX data, justified this decision . Second, we eliminated 

sampling along the 50-m isobath. Seven previous LATEX A cruises had collected data 

along that contour. That data and the current meter measurements indicate that flows 

along and across the 50-m line are less complicated than those near the shelf break at 200 

meters. Data collected along the 200-m isobath provide information on shelf/slope 

boundary conditions important in understanding the exchanges of mass, heat, and 

freshwater between the shelf and the open ocean. Thus, it was concluded that stations 

along the 200-m isobath were of higher priority than those along the 50-m. 

Revision of the hydrographic/ADCP cruise plans resulted in cost savings that allowed for 

three full-shelf cruises, whereas, had the original plan been followed, only two full-shelf 

cruises and one half-shelf cruise could have been realized in the third field year. 

2.2 Overview of Cruise Schedule and Nomenclature 

Four mooring cruises and three hydrographic/ADCP survey cruises were carried out by 

the LATEX A program during the third field year. They were conducted from the R/V 

Gyre, the R/V J.W. Powell, the MN Seis Surveyor, and the M/V Universal Surveyor. 

Table 2 .2 .1 provides a listing of the cruises, their various designators, and their start and 

end dates. 

The MMS identifying code is the number assigned each LATEX cruise in the LATEX 

Calendar posted to the GULF .MEX bulletin board on Omnet (cf. section 5 .4.1) . This 

designator is deciphered as follows: 

First character: 

Second & third characters: 

Fourth character: 

Fifth & Sixth characters 

Seventh & eighth characters 

Ninth & tenth characters : 

M=mooring cruise ; H=hydrographic/ADCP survey 

LATEX A mooring cruise number, 

LATEX A hydrographic/ADCP survey number 

C=cruise 

vessel identifier (GY = Gyre, PW = J. W. Porvell ; 

SS = Seis Surveyor, US = Universal Surveyor) 

year of cruise 

vessel cruise number 
10 

The LATEX ID is the shorthand identifier used in this report . The cruise ID number is 

the standard cruise identifier in wide use in the oceanographic community . The first two 

characters dive the year of the cruise, the third character gives the ship identifier (P = 

Potivell; G = Gyre, and the last two characters give the number of the ship's cruise for 

that year. 

Table 2.2 .1 . Cruise identifiers and dates. 

Current Mooring Maintenance Cruises 

Cruise Description MMS ID Start Date End Date LATEX ID Cruise ID 

15 60-day Maintenance M 15CPW9406 05/26/94 06/01/94 M15 94P06 

16 120-day Maintenance M 16CSS9413 07/23/94 08/02/94 M 16 Seis SurTevor 

17 60-day Maintenance M17CUS9413 09/27/94 10/04/94 M17Universal Surve' vor 

18 Final Mooring Recovery M18CGY9411 11/29/94 12/07/94 M18 94G11 

Hydrographic Surveys 

Survey Description MMS ID Start Date End Date LATEX ID Cruise ID 

8 Full Shelf H08CGY9401 04/24/94 05/07/94 H08 94G01 

9 Full Shelf H09CPW9410 07/26/94 08/07/94 H09 94P10 

10 Full Shelf HIOCGY9409 11/02/94 11/13/94 H10 94G09 

2.3 ReDOrt Organization 

This third annual report of the LATEX A Study describes the results of the third year's 

field work in terms of data gathering efforts, the measurement and analytical 

methodologies employed, quantity of data collected, the results of quality control 

exercises and determinations, and the status of data archiving and data sharing with other 

contractors. All times are reported in Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) unless stated 

otherwise . There are no extensive analyses or syntheses of the information; these will be 

found in the Synthesis Report, to be released at the end of the program in 1997 . 

Section 3 of this report details the data acquisition for the moored measurements, drifting 

buoy measurements, hydrographic and ADCP measurements, and collateral data 

assembly. Section 4 discusses data quality and analysis for the observations collected, 

including data processing efforts and data quality control methods and results . Section 5 

summarizes data archiving and information sharing . 

Although LATEX A data have been processed for quality control and quality assurance, 

they are still preliminary . It is likely that further corrections will be made to all the data 

sets prior to their final submission to NODC. 
3 DATA ACQUISITION 

3 .1 Introduction 

This section provides an overview of LATEX A data acquisition activities. It includes 

discussion of data gathering efforts from the moored current meter array, meteorological 

buoys, drifting buoys, hydrographic/ADCP surveys, and collateral data assembly . Four 

mooring maintenance cruises and three hydrographic/ADCP cruises are summarized, 

giving data types, data collection methods, and locations and times of data collection . 

3 .2 Moored Measurements 

3 .2 .1 Mooring Maintenance Cruises 

During the third year of field operations, four mooring cruises were conducted. The dates 

for these cruises are summarized in Table 2.2 .1 . Maintenance work consisted of retrieval 

of instruments and moorings as necessary, examination and repair of equipment, 

downloading of data, and redeployment . CTD casts were taken at each visited mooring 

for calibration of temperature and conductivity sensors. 

Moorings in different water depths were maintained on different schedules as indicated in 

Table 3 .2.1, which also gives the mooring configurations at the beginning of the third 

field year. Modifications to these configurations are discussed under descriptions of each 

cruise . Figure 3 .2 .1 shows the locations of the moorings. During the third field year, 67 

current meters, eight meteorological buoys, five directional wave gauges, 17 acoustic 

releases, 12 transponders, and one inverted echo sounder (IES) were used. 

Following are summaries of the major events of the four current meter cruises conducted 

in the third field year. Cruises M15 and M18 were carried out from TAMU-operated 

vessels and departed from and returned to Galveston, Texas . For cruises M16 and M17, 

commercial vessels were hired ; they departed from and returned to Patterson, Louisiana. 

Table 3.2 .2 lists the stations visited on each cruise . 

3 .2 .1 .1 Cruise M 15CPW9406 

Cruise M 15 was a 60-day mooring maintenance cruise, conducted from the R/V J. W. 

Potivell 26 May - 1 June 1994. Fourteen mooring locations were visited ; 11 moorings 

were maintained and redeployed. The meteorological buoys at moorings 50, 51, 52, and 

53, deployed for the study of winter cyclogenesis, were removed for the hurricane season. 

The buoy at mooring 52 was found to have a broken anemometer. The buoy at mooring 

53 had been vandalized; its tower was missing and the electronics were flooded . No data 

were recovered from that buoy. The MiniSpec directional wave gauge at mooring 17 was 

removed to permit a MiniSpec deployment at mooring 23, there not being enough 

instruments to allow deployment at both stations. At mooring 23, a gradiometer was used 

to search for equipment lost at that location on a previous cruise ; no equipment was 

recovered this time. 

3 .2 .1 .2 Cruise M16CSS9416 

Cruise M 16 was a 120-day mooring maintenance cruise, conducted from the M/V Seis 

Surve~or- 23 July - 2 August 1994 . Twenty-six moorings were visited ; 24 were 
Table 3 .2 .1 . Mooring configurations as of April 1994. 

Water 

Mrg Depth 

No (tn) 

Latitude 

(°N) 

Longitude 

(°W) omments i'up iddle 3otlom 

Maintenance 

Interval 

Release ( I) ;i s 

I 13 27°19.40' 97°18.42' Platform 17d-IOtn , 'f,C None Mini- 19tn, T None 120 

2 37 27°17.03' 96°58.82' Platform 174-IOm, T,C None 174-30m, T,C None 120 

3 66 27'17.35' 96'44.18' Platform 174- 1 Om, 7',C 174-30m, T,C 174-61 m, T,C 397 120 

4 201 27°07.82' 96°21 .65' Marker Buoy "L" 174-14m, T,C Aand-IOOm, T,C Aand-190m, T,C 397 120 

5 199 27°27.82' 96°04.12' Marker Buoy "M" 174-14m, T,C Aand-100m, T,C Aand-190m, T,C 397 120 

6 201 27°42.62' 95°38.83' Marker Buoy "N" 174-14m, T,C Aand-100m, T,C Aand-190m, T,C 397 120 

7 199 27°50.13' 95°04.05' Marker Buoy "O" 174-14m, T,C Aand-IOOm, T,C Aand-190m, T,C 397 120 

R 200 27°49.52' 94°10.52' Marker Buoy "P" 174-14m, T,C Aand-IOOm, T,C Aand-190m, T,C 3)7 120 

9 200 27°48.82' 9l°32.78' Marker Buoy "Q" 174-14m, T,C Aand-IOOm, T,C Aand-190m, T,C 397 120 

10 200 27°56.13' 92°44.63' Marker Buoy "R" 174-14m, T,C Aand-IOOm, T,C Aand-190m, T,C 397 120 

I I 200 27°50.55' 92°00.10' Marker Buoy "S" 174-14m, T,C Aand-IOOm, T,C Aand-190m, T,C Bcnthos 120 

12 Permanently Removed 

13 200 28°0333' 90°2932' Marker Buoy "U" 174-14m, T,C Aand-100m, T,C Aand-190m, T,C Benthos 120 

14 48 28°23.75' 90°29.G3' Platform 174-14m, T,C 174-26m, T,C 174-42m, T,C None 60 

IS 27 28°36.4R' 9n°29.55' Platform 174-IOm, T,C None 174-24m, T,C None 60 

16 IG 2K°56.33' 90°29.40' Platform 174-IOm, T,C None Mini-17m, T None 60 

17 8 29'11 .87' 91'57.90' Platform c& Met Buoy "C"=937 S4-3m, T,C None Mini-5m, T None 60 

18 22 28°57.71' 91°59.03' Platform 174-IOm,T,C None 174-21 m,T,C None 60 

19 53 28°2790' 92°02.27' Platform & Met Buoy "D"=930 S4-1m, T,C 174-21 m, T,C 174-44m, T,C 397 GO 

20 13 29°30.03' 94°01 .42' Platform & Met Buoy "E"=931 S4-3m, T,C None Mini-13m, T None 60 

21/51 25 2R°50.27' 94°04.80' Platform & Met Buoy "F"=934 174-IOm, T,C None 174-21m, T,C None 60 

22 54 28°21 .33' 93°57.33' Platform & Met Buoy "G"=932 S4-3m, T,C 174-20m, T,C 174-48m, T,C 397 60 

23 I S 28°42.82' 95°32.20' Platform 174-9m, T,C None Mini-13m, T None 60 

24 27 2K°32.22' 9S°23.58' Platform 174-IIm,T,C None 174-27m,T,C None fin 

25 Permanently Removed 

42 Permanently Remove) 

43 Unrecoverable 

44 Permanently Removed 

45 Permanently Removed 

46 Permanently Removed 

47 Permanently Removed 

48 201 27°58.98' 91°17.13' Marker Buoy "T" 174-14m, T,C Aand-IOOm, T Aand-190m, T Benthos 120 

49 498 27°22.95' )5°54.02' Marker Buoy "W" 174-14m, T,C Aand-IOOm, T,C Aand-495m, T,C Benthos 180 

50 20 28°52.86' 95°02.20' Platform & Met Buoy "H"=936 None None None None 60 

51/21 25 28°50.28' 94°04.79' Platform & Met Buoy "F"=934 174-IOm, T,C None 174-21 m, T,C None 60 

52 27 28°48.18' 93°01 .11' Platform & Met Buoy "I"=933 None None None None 60 

53 13 28°48.04' 90°57.22' Platform Rc Met Buoy '7"=935 None None None None 60 

Met Buoy = DSI Surface Meteorol ogical Buoy Aand = Aanderaa Models RCM 7 or K Mini = CLI MiniSpec Directional Wave Gauge 

S4 = fnterOcean S4 Electromagnetic Current Meter RCM = Aanderaa Models 4 or 5 T = Temperature Sensor 

174 = Endeco Model SSM 174 Cur rent Meter 397 = Uatasonics M odel 397 Acoustic Re lease C = Conductivity Sensor 

N 
LOUISIANA 

30'N 

~ ,N ew 

29'N 

28'N 

27'N 

26'N k 

97'W 96'W 95'W 94'W 93'W 92'W 91'W 90'W 

Figure 3 .2 .1 . Mooring locations and maintenance intervals for the third field year. 

TEXAS 

Houst n Orlear ~s' `'C_I 

Galvest _ 

o 

20 17 

23 50 

21/51 52 18 ~ jO 

O 

53 O76 

1D O 24 ~ s 

'~ 

~ 5 

is 

200 

22 50 

10 48 13 

7 8 

. - 

11 U 6 2~~ ._ ~ ~ 

d s 1000 10~p ~ "" 

1 2 .3 ~49 u 

4 v 42 

Maintenance 

O 60 days 

2000 

" 120 days 

O 180 d ays 

" 360 days 

w 
14 

Table 3 .2 .2 . Mooring maintenance by cruise for the third field year. 

Mooring No. M15 M16 M17 M18 

1 

2 J 

3 

4 

s J J J 

J J 

J ~l 

s 

9 

10 

11 

12 (Removed) 

13 

14 ti/ 

15 

16 J y ~ J 

17 ~l ,~ J J 

is J ,l J J 

19 

20 

21 ~l J ~l J 

22 

23 

24 

25 (Removed) 

42 ti~ Removed 

43 (Lost) 

44 (Removed) 

45 (Removed) 

46 (Removed) 

47 (Removed) 

48 

49 

50 R 

51 R 

52 R 

53 R 

= Mooring maintenance conducted 

R = Meteorological buoy removed for hurricane season 

(Removed) = Entire mooring was removed in second field year 

(Lost) = IES at this location is irretrievable 
15 

redeployed. MiniSpec directional wave gauges were removed from moorings 16 and 23 

for factory repair . The IES was recovered from mooring 42 ; this mooring was not 

redeployed. Five XBTs were launched between moorings 42 and 11 . Mooring 5 was not 

deployed due to lack of spare current meters . On 30 July, the ship put in at Port Aransas, 

Texas, to retrieve mooring 4, complete except for anchor and release, from a shrimper 

who had snagged it in shallow water. Equipment reported as lost after this cruise : 1 

Aanderaa RCM7> 2 RCM4s, 1 Endeco SSM174, 1 Benthos release, 1 Datasonics release. 

3 .2 .1 .3 Cruise M 17CUS9417 

Cruise M17 was a 60-day mooring maintenance cruise conducted from the M/V 

Universal Surveyor- 27 September - 4 October 1994. Fifteen moorings were planned for 

maintenance ; however, moorings 2 and 49 were omitted during the cruise . Thirteen 

moorings were maintained and redeployed. Meteorological buoys were installed at 

moorings 19 and 22 without S4 current meters . Mooring 5, not deployed on cruise M15 

due to lack of equipment, was reinstalled . A search for equipment previously lost at this 

mooring was unsuccessful . A MiniSpec directional wave gauge was deployed at mooring 

23 . Sediment traps were set at mooring 18 for LATEX B. 

3 .2 .1 .4 Cruise M 18CGY9411 

Cruise M18, the final cruise of the LATEX Program, was conducted from the R/V Gyre 

29 November - 7 December 1994 . Twenty-five moorings were recovered; none were 

redeployed. All LATEX moorings were removed from the Gulf by the end of the cruise . 

Thirty-two XBTs were launched along the 200-m isobath. Damage to meteorological 

buoys was noted for moorings 17 (tower and anemometer missing) and 22 (tower missing 

but buoy still transmitting) . The current meter on mooring 16 was missing . Searches for 

missing equipment were conducted at moorings 4, 5, and 48 . No equipment was 

recovered at moorings 4 and 5 . Efforts were rewarded at mooring 48, however; dragging 

brought up two Benthos glass floats and an Aanderaa RCM7 current meter lost in 

November of 1993 . 

3 .2 .2 Instrumentation, Calibration, and Sampling Procedures 

The calibration of all instruments and sampling procedures were performed, in general, as 

noted in sections 9.3 and 9.4 of Nowlin et al . (1991), in section 2.2 .2 of Jochens and 

Nowlin (1994b), and in section 3 of Jochens and Nowlin (1995) . Some variations from 

the procedures set out in these references occurred due to time constraints and the actual 

instruments used. Because of instrument loss, the current meters could not be returned to 

shore for major refurbishment and recalibration as frequently as originally planned . 

Therefore, the data from the CTD casts taken before and/or after instrument recovery and 

redeployment were used to assist with instrument calibrations . 

3 .2 .3 Summary of Data Collection 

The third year of deployment was from April through December 1994. Data were 

recovered from the moored instrumentation during mooring maintenance cruises M15 

through M18. Moored instrumentation consisted of current meters collecting current 

speed and direction, temperature, and conductivity ; meteorological buoys collecting wind 

speed and direction, air and sea surface temperature, and barometric pressure ; MiniSpec 

directional wave gauges collecting current speed and direction, temperature, and pressure ; 

and an inverted echo sounder collecting acoustic travel time, temperature, and pressure . 
16 

3 .2 .3 .1 Current Meter Data and Maximum Currents 

Table 3 .2 .2 shows moorings visited for maintenance on each cruise . Figure 3 .2 .2 

summarizes the recovery results for the second year. In Figure 3 .2 .2, T stands for the top 

instrument, M for the middle, and B for the bottom instrument on the numbered mooring; 

see Table 3 .2 .1 for instrument types . For each current meter on each mooring, Table 

3.2 .3 shows the data recovery and problems during the third field year. 

MMS wishes to predict the maximum likely distance that spilled oil could move in a 48-

hour period over the Texas-Louisiana shelf. Toward that end, the maximum speeds and 

directions have been determined for the upper current meters on the LATEX A moorings 

(Table 3 .2 .4) . For the third field year, maximum low-passed currents range from 28 to 72 

cm-s-1, directions vary around the compass, and maxima occur around the calendar. 

However, there is a tendency toward upcoast directions in summer (June-August) and 

downcoast directions otherwise, as expected for the inner shelf region . Note that 

instruments did not record at all locations year round . 

3 .2 .3 .2 Wave Gauge Data 

This section details problems encountered with MiniSpec directional wave gauges during 

each deployment period ; these are indicated in the exceptions column of Table 3 .2.5 . 

Figure 3 .2 .3 shows a timeline for the MiniSpec data return . Because the MiniSpec 

directional wave gauges were not equipped with internal compasses that would have 

determined each instrument's directional orientation, there was uncertainty about the 

diver-reported orientation measurement during the first year of deployment. This 

measurement became more reliable during the second half of the field study. By 

comparing the mean wave directions of wave data calculated at each mooring over the 

entire study, we determined accurate directional orientations of the velocity sensors . 

Cruise M15 recovered data from MiniSpec S/N 10093, 10096, and 10092 at LATEX 

moorings 16, 17, and 20, respectively . The data of S/N 10093 showed no problems. The 

pressure sensor of S/N 10096 malfunctioned after seventeen days, evidenced by excessive 

noise in the wave spectrum. The pressure burst data were replaced with the character 

string "-999.00" ("nine-filled") to indicate bad data after 16 April . Although its wave 

data after this time are useless, the instrument continued to record average hydrostatic 

pressure, corresponding to sea surface height . These data are included in the current 

meter file and are flagged as questionable . In S/N 10092, the current sensor 

malfunctioned during the first fifteen days of deployment, evidenced by excessive noise 

in the current sensor wave spectrum. After 15 April, the noise was no longer evident in 

the wave spectrum. Current burst and average data were nine-filled from 1-15 April, and 

have been flagged as questionable from 15 April to the end of the deployment . 

Four MiniSpecs, S/N 10094, 10096, 10093, and 10092, were recovered during cruise 

M16, at moorings 1, 16, 20, and 23, respectively . S/N 10094 and 10093 recorded full 

complements of wave data with no apparent problems. The pressure sensor in S/N 10096 

continued to exhibit problems. Usable pressure data from this instrument extends only 

four days into the deployment. Plots of the wave energy density, estimated from the 

current velocity sensor in S/N 10092, show noise over the entire wind-wave frequency 

range beginning at OO :OOZ on 17 July 1994 . The energy introduced into the spectrum by 

this noise was small compared to the total wave energy and was retained in the data file . 

These data are flagged, however, as questionable . Both S/N 10096 and 10092 were 

removed from the field for repair . 
Current Meter Data from Third Field Year 

01 B 12 m 

01T 10m 

02B 30m 

02T 10m 

03 B 190 m 

03T 10m 

04 B 190 m 

04 M 100 m 

04T 14m 

05 B 190 m 

05M 100m 

05T 3m 

06 B 190 m 

06M 100m 

06T 14 m 

07B 190m 

07 M 100 m 

07T 14m 

08 B 190 m 

08M 100m 

08 T 14 m 

09 B 190 m 

I 

09M 100m 

09T 14m 

10B 190 m 

10M 100 m 

10T 14 m 

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan 

1994 1995 

Figure 3 .2 .2 . Current meter data recovered during the third field year. 

~1 
Current Meter Data from Third Field Year 

11 B 1 90m 

11 M 100 m 

11 T 14 m 

13 B 190 m 

13 M 100 m 

13 T 14 m 

14 B 41 m 

14M 24m 

14T 10m 

15B 24m 

15 T 10m 

16B 15m 

16T 10m 

17B 6m 

- - 17T 3m 

18B 20m 

18T 8m 

19B 47m 

19M 20m 

19T 3m 

20 B 11 m 

20T 3m 

21 B 22 m 

21T 14m 

22B 47m 

22 M 20 m 

22T 3m 

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan 

1994 1995 

00 

Figure 3.2 .2 . Current meter data recovered during the third field year (continued) . 
Current Meter Data from Third Field Year 

23B 13m 

23T 10m 

24B 23m 

24T 10m 

48 B 190 m 

48M 100m 

48T 14m 

49 B 490 m 

49 M 100 m 

49T 14m 

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan 

1994 1995 

Figure 3 .2 .2 . Current meter data recovered during the third field year (continued). 
20 

Table 32.3 . LATEX Current Meter Data April 1994 - December 1994 . 

Mooring Depth S/N Depl oy Cruise Recover Cruise Start Dana End Data Exceptions 

01 B 12 m 10094 94514 (M14) 94S16 (M16) 03/28/1994 14 :00 07/29/1994 11 :30 

01 B 12 m 10094 94S16 (M16) 94G I l (M18) 0729/1994 19 :00 12/06/1994 13 :00 

01T lOm SSM256 94S14(M14) 94S16(M16) 03/28/I99415 :00 04/30/199423 :00 

O1 T lOm SSM042 94S16(M16) 94G11(M18) 07/29/199412 :30 1J06/199413:30 N 

02 B 30m LSU005 94S14 (M14) 94516 (M16) 03/29/1994 12 :30 07/24/1994 10 :30 A,D,E 

02 B 30m DMT238 94S 16 (M 16) 94G 11 (M 18) 07/29/1994 15 :30 11/27/1994 01 :10 

02 T lo m SSM240 94S 14 (M 14) 94S 16 (M 16) 03/29/1994 13 :30 07/29/1994 15 :00 K 

02 T 10 m SSM256 94S16 (MI6) 94G11 (M18) 07/29/1994 15 :30 12/06/1994 17 :00 

03 B 58 m AA7175 94S14 (CM 14) 94S16 (CM 16) 0329/1994 17 :00 07/29/1994 20 :00 N 

03 B 58 m AA7170 94S 16 (CM 16) 94011 (CM 18) 07/29/1994 22 :30 12/05/1994 03 :00 

03 T l0 m SSM235 94S14 (M14) 94S16 (M16) 03/29/1994 18 :00 07/29/1994 20 :00 

03T lOm SSM240 94S16(M16) 94G11 (M18) 07/29/199423 :00 12/06/199420 :00 

0.1B 190m AA7175 94S16(CM16) 94G11(CM18) 07/30/199410 :30 1J05/199408:00 

04 h1 100 m AA9121 94S 14 (M 14) 94S 16 (M 16) 03/29/1994 22 :00 05/04/1994 13 :00 H 

04M 100M AA10677 94S16(M16) 94G11 (M 18) 07/30/199 10 :30 1J06/199423 :30 

04T 14m SSM235 94S16(M16) 94G11(M18) 07/30/19910:30 006/199423 :30 

05 B 190 m AA10682 94017 (M17) 94G11 (M 18) 10/01/1994 23 :30 12/07/1994 04 :30 

05 M 100 m A0004 94017 (M17) 94G11 (M18) 10/01994 00 :00 107/1994 04 :00 D,E 

OS T 3m 08111780 94013 (A117) 94G11(M18) 10/01/199423 :40 10/16/19941x :40 

06 B 190 m AA 10677 94S 14 (M 14) 945 16 (M 16) 03/27/1994 16 :00 07/29/1994 00 :30 

06 B 190 m AA10678 94516 (M16) 94G11 (M18) 08/02/1994 00:30 12/01J1994 10 :00 D,E,N 

06 h1 100m AAl06B1 94S14(M14) 94516 (M 16) 03/27/199416 :00 07/29/199401 :00 B,K,N 

06 M 100 m AA 10690 94S 16 (M 16) 94G I 1 (M 18) 07/29/1994 03 :30 12/05/1994 2230 

06 T 14 m SSM042 94S14 (M14) 94S 16 (M16) 03/27/1994 16 :00 07/29/1994 00 :00 

06T 14m SSM244 94S16(M16) 94G11 (M18) 07/29/199403 :30 12/05/199422 :30 

07 B 190 m AA 10678 945 14 (M 14) 945 16 (M 16) 03/27/1994 07 :00 07/28/1994 19 :00 K 

07 B 190 m AA10689 94516 (M16) 94G I l (M18) 07/28/1994 21 :30 12/05/1994 06 :30 H,K,N 

07 M 100 m AA 10690 945 14 (M 14) 94S 16 (M 16) 03/27/1994 07 :00 07/28/1994 19 :00 

07 M 100 m AA 10684 945 16 (M 16) 94G l 1 (M 18) 07128/1994 21 :30 12J05/1994 06 :30 

07 T 14 m SSM244 94514 (M14) 94S16 (M l6) 03/27/199307 :00 07/28/1994 18 :30 

07 "f 14m SSM241 94516(hi16) 94G11 (hi 18) 07/28/199421 :30 1J05/199406:30 L,N 

08 B 190 m AA 10684 945 14 (M 14) 94S 16 (M 16) 03/26/1994 23 :00 07/28/1994 11 :30 N 

08B 190m AA10672 94S16(M16) 94G11(M18) 07/28/199414 :30 1J04/199123:30 

08M 100 m AA10689 94514 (M14) 94516 (A116) 03/26/1994 23 :00 07/28/1994 11 :30 H 

08M 100m AA10679 94S16(M16) 94GI1(M18) 07/28/199414 :30 12/04/1994 23 :30 

08 T 14 m SSM241 945 14 (M 14) 945 16 (M 16) 03/26/1994 23 :00 07/28/1994 11 :00 

08 T 14 m SSM253 94516 (M16) 94G1I (M18) 0728/1994 14 :30 12/05/1994 01 :00 

09 B 190 m AA 10672 945 14 (M 14) 94S 16 (M 16) 0326/1994 16 :00 07/28/1994 01 :30 K 

09B 190m AA10680 94516(M16) 94G11(M18) 07/28/199404 :30 12/01/1994 19 :30 

09M 100m AA10679 94514(M14) 94516(M16) 03/26/1994 16 :00 07/28/199401 :30 N 

09 M 100 m AA10685 94516 (M16) 94G11 (M18) 07/28/199404 :30 12/01/1994 1930 

09T 14m SSM253 94S14(M14) 94S16(M16) 03/26/199416 :00 07/28/199402 :00 H 

10 B 190 m AA10685 94514 (M14) 94S16 (M16) 03/26/1994 07 :00 07/27/1994 19 :00 

t0B 190m AA10673 94S16(MI6) 94G11(h118) 0787/199422:00 12/02/1994 02 :00 

lo m 100 m AA10680 94514 (M14) 94516 (M16) 03/26/1994 06 :00 07/27/1994 19 :00 K 

l O M 100 m AA 10687 945 16 (M 16) 94G 11 (M 18 ) 07f-)7/1994 21 :30 12/02/1994 02 :00 

l0'C 14m SSM247 94S14(M14) 94S16(M16) 03/26/199406 :30 07/27/199418 :30 

lOT 14m SSM233 94516(M16) 94G11(M18) 0"7/27/199422 :00 12/02/1994 03 :00 

11 B 190m AA9410 94S14(M14) 94516(M16) 03/25/199423 :30 07/17/199410 :00 

11 B 190 m AA9411 94S16 (M16) 94017 (N117) 07/25/1994 20 :30 09/29/1994 00 :30 

11 B 190 m AA9121 94017 (M17) 94G1 1 (M18) 09/30/1994 10 :00 11/28/1994 16 :30 
21 

Table 3 .2 .3 . LATEX Current Meter Data April 1994 - December 1994. (continued) 

Mooring Depth S/N Deploy Cruise Reco v er Cruise Start Data End Data Exceptions 

11 M 100 m AA 10669 94S 14 (M 14) 94S 16 (M 16) 03/25/1994 23 :30 07/25/1994 0030 

1l M 100 m AA10682 94S16 (MI6) 94U17 (M 17) 07/25/1994 20:30 09/29/1994 00 :00 

11 M 100m AA9411 94U17 (M17) 94G11 (M 18) 09/30/199410 :00 1J02/199409:00 H 

1IT 14m SSM258 94514(M14) 94516(M16) 03/25/199423 :30 07/25/199400 :00 

11 T 14 m SSM250 94S16 (M 16) 94U17 (M17) 07/25/1994 2030 09/29/1994 00 :30 

11 T 14 m A0003 94U17 (M17) 94G11 (M18) 09/30/1994 10 :00 12/02/1994 09 :00 D,E 

13B 190m AA10673 94S14(M14) 94516(M16) 03!25/199404 :00 07/27/199400 :30 

13B 190m AA10670 94S16(M16) 94G11(M18) 07/27/199403 :00 12/03/199422 :00 A 

13 M 100 m AA10687 94S14 (M14) 94S16 (M16) 03/25/1994 04 :00 07/27/1994 00 :30 

13 M 100 m AA10688 94S16 (M16) 94G11 (M18) 07/27/1994 03 :30 12/03/1994 22 :00 

13 T 14 m SSM233 94514 (M 14) 945 16 (M16) 03/25/1994 04 :00 07/27/1994 00 :00 J,K 

13 T 14 m SSM255 94S16 (M16) 94GI1 (M 18) 07/27/1994 03 :30 12J03/1994 22 :00 

14 B 41 m LSU020 94514 (M14) 94P06 (M15) 03/25/1994 07 :00 05/30/1994 12 :25 D,E 

l4 B 41m LSU040 94516(M16) 94U17 (M17) 07/27/199406 :00 09/29/199420 :50 D,E 

14B 41m LSU045 94U17 (M17) 94GII(M18) 09/30/199400 :00 103/199419:10 B,D,E 

14 M 24 m DMT238 94P06 (MI5) 94516 (M16) 05/30/1994 14 :30 07/26/1994 21 :35 

14 M 24 m DMT015 94U17 (M17) 94G11 (M18) 09/30/1994 00 :30 12/03/1994 18 :50 C,E,N 

14 T 10 m SSM243 94S14 (M 14) 94P06 (M15) 03/25/1994 07 :30 05/30/1994 10 :00 

14 T 10 m SSM255 94P06 (M 15) 94516 (M16) 05/30/1994 14 :30 07/26/1994 21 :00 

14 T 10M SSM243 945 16 (M 16) 94U 17 (M 17) 0727/1994 06 :30 09/29/1994 20 :30 

14T lOm A0006 94U17 (M17) 94GI1(M18) 09/30/199400:00 1J03/199419:00 A,B,D,E 

15 B 23 m LSU040 94S14 (M14) 94P06 (h115) 03/24/1994 17 :00 05/30/1994 15 :45 D,E 

15 B 24 m LSU0.10 94P06 (MI5) 94516 (M16) 05/30/1994 17 :00 07/26/1994 16 :15 D,E 

15 B 24 m LSU070 94S16 (MI6) 94U17 (M17) 07/2611994 18 :00 09/29/1994 19 :00 D,E 

15 T 10M SSN1039 94S14 (M14) 94P06 (h115) 03/24/1994 17 :00 05/30/1993 15 :30 

15 T 10M SSM243 94514 (M14) 94S16 (hi16) 05/30/1994 17 :00 07/26/1994 1530 

15 T 10 m DMT015 94S 16 (M16) 94017 (M 17) 07/27/1994 04 :00 09/30/1994 05 :00 CE 

15T 10m SSM250 94S16(M16) 94G11(M18) 09/29/199420 :00 12/03/199416 :00 

16 B 15 m 10093 94514 (M14) 94P06 (M15) 03/24/1994 13 :30 05/30/1994 19 :30 

l6 B 15m 10096 94P06 (M15) 94S16(M16) 05/30/199420 07/26/199411 :30 

16 T IOM SSM254 94514 (M 14) 94P06 (h115) 03/24/1994 14 :00 05/30/1994 19 :00 

16T 10m SSM039 94P06(M15) 94516(M16) 05/30/199422 :00 07/26/199411 :30 H 

16T 10m SSM257 94S16(M16) 94U17(M17) 07/26/199414 :30 09/29/199416 :00 

17 B 6 m 10096 94S14 (M14) 94P06 (M15) 04/01/1994 13 :00 05/29/1994 17 :30 

17 T 3 m 08111777 94S14 (M14) 94P06 (MI5) 03/23/1994 17 :18 03/29/1994 19 :00 

17 T 3 m 08111748 94P06 (M15) 94s13(h116) 05/29/1994 19 :35 06/06/1994 08 :35 

17 T 3 m 08111777 94513 (MI6) 94013 (M17) 0724/1994 13 :0 09/28/1994 13 :04 

17T 3m 08111780 94013 (M17) 94G1t(M18) 10/04/199410 :05 11/11/199422 :35 

18B 20m LS U160 94S14(M14) 94P06(M15) 03/23/199419 :00 05/29/199416 :15 A,D,E 

18 B 20 m DMT208 94P06 (M15) 945 16 (M16) 05/29/1994 21 :30 07124/1994 1430 B 

18 B 20 m LSU010 94516 (MI6) 9:017 (M 17) 07/24/1994 16 :00 08/11/199400 :00 0 

18 T 8 m DMTO15 93S 14 (M14) 94P06 (N715) 03/23/1994 20 :00 05/29/1994 16 :55 

IS T 8 m SSM250 94S14 (M14) 945 16 (h116) 05/29/1994 22 :00 07/24/1994 14 :30 

18T 8m SSM239 94S16(M16) 94U17(M17) 07/24/199416 :30 Q9/28/199416 :30 

19B 47m LSU050 94514(M14) 94P06(M15) 03/24/199401 :30 05/30/199401 :00 D,E,N 

19 B 47 m LSU055 94S16 (M16) 94017 (M17) 07/24/199420 :30 09/30/1994 14 :50 D,E 

19 M 20 m DMT238 93S14 (h914) 94P06(A115) 03/24/1994 02 :00 05/29/1994 19 :40 K 

19 M 20 m DMT015 94P06 (M15) 94516 (M16) 05/30/1994 03 :00 07/24/1994 18 :55 C,E 

19 M 20 m DMT208 94S16 (M16) 94017 (M17) 07/24/199421 :W 09/30/1994 14 :30 B 

19 M 20 m LSU070 94017 (M17) 94G11 (MI5) 09/30/1994 17 :30 11/04/1994 10 :50 D,E 

19 T 3 m 08111781 94S14 (hf 14) 94P06 (M (5) 03/24/1994 01 :30 05/30/ 1994 00 :30 A 
22 

Table 3 .2 .3 . LATEX Current Meter Data April 1994 - December 1994. (continued) 

Mooring Depth SIN Deploy Cruise Recover Cruise Start Data End Data Exceptions 

19T 3m 08111741 94P06 (A115) 94S13(M16) 05/30/199403 :05 07/24/199418 :35 

19T 3m 08111478 94S13 (M16) 94U13 (M17) 07/24/199420:13 09/30/!99414 :13 

19 T 3 m 08111778 94513 (M 17) 94G1 l (M18) 09/30/1994 17 :00 12/02/1994 14 :30 

20B 11 m 10092 94514 (M14) 94P06(M15) 03/3!/199413 :30 05/3!/199414 :30 N 

20 B 11 m 10093 94P06 (M15) 94516 (M 16) 05/3!/1994 15 :30 08/01/1994 18 :30 

20B 11 m 10093 94516 (MI6) 94U16(M17) 08/01/199423 :00 !0/03/199417 :00 

20B 11 m 10093 94U17 (M17) 94G11 (M 18) !0/03/199422 :30 !!/30/199414 :30 

20T 3m 08111778 94S14 (M14) 94P06(M15) 03/31/199416 :05 05/31/199415 :05 A 

20 T 3 m 08111745 94P06 (M15) 94S13 (M16) 05/3 1/1994 17 :05 08/01/1994 18 :35 

20T 3m 08111779 94513 (M16) 94U13(M17) 08/01/199422 :00 10/03/199419 :30 

20T 3m 08111744 94013 (M 17) 94G11(M18) !0/03/199420 :35 1!/30/199413 :35 

21B 22m DM1-215 93514(M14) 94P06(M15) 03/31/199420 :30 05/28/199416 :30 

21B 22m DMT145 94P06(M15) 94S16(N116) 05/28/199421 :30 08/01/199111 :55 C,D,E 

21 B 22 m DMT145 94516 (MI6) 94U17 (hill) 08/01/1994 15 :00 10/03/199 14 :10 

21 B 22m DMT215 94017 (M17) 94G11 (M 18) 10/03/1994 15 :00 11/30/1994 2025 

21 T 14 m SSM255 94S14 (M14) 94P06 (M15) 03/31/1994 21 :00 05/28/1994 21 :00 N 

21 T 14 m SSM285 94514 (M14) 94S 16 (N416) 05/28/1994 22 :00 08/01/1994 12 :00 

21 T 14 m SSM285 94516 (M16) 94017 (M17) 08/01/1994 15 :00 10/03/1994 14 :00 

21T l4 m SSM279 94S16(M16) 94G11(M18) 10/03/199415 :30 (030/199420:00 

22 B 47 m LSU030 94S14 (M 14) 94P06 (MI5) 04/01/1994 02 :00 05/29/1994 0130 

22 B 47 m LSU055 94017 (M17) 94G11 (M18) 10/03/1994 03 :30 10/19/1994 11 :10 H 

22 M 20 m Dh11-208 93514 (M 14) 94P06 (MI5) 04/01/1994 02 :00 05128/1994 20 :50 B,D.E 

22M 20m DMT215 94P06(M15) 94S16(M16) 05/29/199403 :30 07/31/1994 23 :00 

22 M 20 m DMT215 94S16 (MI6) 94017 (M17) 08/01/1994 03 :00 10/03/199400 :00 K 

22 h1 20 m A0005 94017 (hi17) 94G11 (h118) 10/03/1994 0-1 :00 12/01/1994 13 :30 

22 T 3 m 031 (1780 94S 14 (h114) 94P06 (M 15) 04/01/1994 02 :05 05/29/1994 00 :35 

22T 3m 08111779 94P06 (h115) 94513(M16) 05/29/199404 :05 07/31/199422 :05 

22T 3m 08111744 94513 (M16) 94U13(M17) 08/01/199402 :49 10/03/199400 :49 

22T 3 m 03111748 94013 (M 17) 94G11 (M 18) 10/03/199405 :05 12/01/1994 13 :05 

23 B 13 m 10092 94P06 (M 15) 94516 (M16) 06/01/1994 16 :00 07/31/1994 1330 

23 B 13 m 10096 94017 (M17) 94G1I (h118) 10/02/1994 15 :00 12/05/1994 15 :30 A 

23T 10 m SSM239 94S14(M14) 94P06(M15) 03/30/199420:00 06/00199414:00 D.E 

23 T 10111 SSM279 94P06 (M15) 94S 16 (R116) 06/01/1994 16 :30 07/31/1994 14 :00 D,E 

23T lOm SSD1254 94S16(M16) 94U17(M17) 07/31/19941430 10/0)199414:00 

23 T lo m SSM243 94516 (MI6) 94G1 I (M 18) 10/02/1994 15 :30 12/05/1994 15 :30 

24 B 23 m LSU070 94514 (M14) 94P06 (MI5) 03/30/1994 13 :00 06/01/1994 12 :00 D,E 

24 B 23m LSU050 94S16 (M16) 94017 (M17) 07/31/1994 16 :00 10/01/1994 15 :00 B,D,E 

24 B 23 m LSU040 94017 (M17) 94G1 l (M18) 10/01/1994 15 :30 11/27/1994 14 :10 D,E 

24 T 7 m SSM279 94S14 (M 14) 94P06 (M15) 03/30/1994 13 :00 06/01/1994 12 :00 

24T 10m SSM254 94P06(M15) 94516(MI6) 06/0(/199414 :30 07131/199412 :00 N 

24 T 10 m SSM279 94516 (M 16) 94017 (M17) 07/31/1994 16 :30 10/001994 14 :00 

24 T lo m SSM257 94017 (M17) 94G11 (M18) 10/01/1994 16 :00 12/05/1994 13 :00 

48 B 190 m AA 10688 94S 14 (M 14) 945 16 (M 16) 03/25/1994 17 :30 07/21/1994 08 :00 K 

48B 190m AA9410 94S16(M16) 94G11(M18) 07/26/199102 :30 11/!7/19940630 A,B,D.E 

48 h1 100 m AA10670 94S14(M14) 94S16(M16) 03/25/1994 17 :30 07/26/199400 :00 K 

48 M (00 m AA 10669 94S 16 (M 16) 94G t I (M 18) 07f-16/1994 02 :30 12/02/1994 18 :00 

48 T 14 m SSM257 94S14 (M14) 94516 (M 16) 03/25/1994 17 :30 07/25/1994 23 :30 

48T l4 m SSM258 94516(M16) 94G11(h118) 07/26/199402 :30 1)04/19940.1 :30 

49 B 490 m 7171 94S16 (Ch116) 94G1 l (CM 18) 07/30/1994 16 :30 12/05/199420 :00 

49 M 100 m AA10676 94514 (A114) 94516 (M16) 03/30/1994 0.1 :00 07/30/1994 13 :30 

49M 100 m AA10676 94S16(M16) 94G11 (M18) 07/30/199417 :00 1)06/199401 :00 
23 

Table 32.3 . LATEX Current Meter Data April 1994 - December 1994 . (continued) 

Mooring Depth S /N Depl oy Cru ise Recover Crui se Scan Data End Data Exceptions 

49 T 14 m SSM232 94514 (M14) 94516 (M16) 03/30/1994 04 :00 07/30/1994 13 :00 

49T l4 m SSM232 94S16(M16) 94G11(M18) 07/30/199416 :30 1J06/199401:00 

Exception Descriptions 

A - No Speed Data. 

B - No Direction data. 

C - No Temperature data. 

D - No Conductivity data. 

E - No Salinity Data . 

F - Dropped Samples. 

G - Self checks in temp. channel. 

H - Partial data . 

I - Temp and Cond scrambled; No data . 

J - Leaked during deployment. 

K - Conductivity goes bad during deployment. 

L - Meter tangled in line/wire. 

M - Missing many 24 hour marks . 

N - Speed goes bad during deployment . 
24 

Table 3.2 .4 . Maximum speed and corresponding direction observed in 40-hr low-passed 

current record from each LATEX A mooring during the third field year. 

Depth Smax Dirmax 

Mooring Latitude N Longitude W (m) (cm/s) (°T) Date 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

44 

45 

46 

47 

48 

49 

27° 19.40' 97° 18.42' 19 28 195 12 Apr 1994 

27° 17.03' 96° 58.82' 10 56 210 2 Oct 1994 

27° 17.35' 96° 44.18' 13 45 19 1 Jul 1994 

27° 07.82' 96° 21 .65' 12 48 34 30 Aug 1994 

27° 27.82' 96° 04.12' 14 43 242 6 Oct 1994 

27° 42.62' 95° 38.83' 13 38 124 28 Sep 1994 

27° 50.13' 95° 04.05' 14 57 60 30 Jun 1994 

27° 49.52' 94° 10.52' 15 57 113 4 Jul 1994 

27° 48 .82' 93° 32.78' 14 46 108 13 Jul 1994 

27° 56.13' 92° 44.63' 14 31 79 26 Jun 1994 

27° 50.55' 92° 00.10' 14 30 137 23 Sep 1994 

Removed 

28° 03 .33' 90° 29.32' 15 72 57 20 Sep 1994 

28° 23 .75' 90° 29.63' 19 42 273 15 Sep 1994 

28° 36.48' 90° 29.55' 10 51 275 15 Sep 1994 

28° 56.33' 90° 29.40' 11 46 258 15 Sep 1994 

29° 11 .87' 910 57.90' 3 47 305 15 Oct 1994 

28° 57.73' 91° 59.03' 10 37 301 17 Apr 1994 

28° 27.90' 92° 02.27' 3 63 279 25 Sep 1994 

29° 30.03' 94° 01 .42' 3 71 92 24 Jun 1994 

28° 50.27' 94° 04.80' 14 38 94 30 Jun 1994 

28° 21 .33' 93° 57.33' 3 54 214 15 Aug 1994 

28° 42.82' 95° 32.20' 10 58 243 17 Apr 1994 

28° 32.22' 95° 23 .58' 10 68 81 28 Jun 1994 

Removed 

Removed 

Removed 

Removed 

Removed 

27° 58 .98' 91° 17.13' 14 40 85 8 Aug 1994 

27° 22.95' 95° 54.02' 14 45 63 27 Aug 1994 
25 

Table 3 .2 .5 . MiniSpec directional wave gauge deployment data. 

MiniSpec - Data Ranges -Third Field Year 

Deploy.-Recov. Cruise Pressure Current Temperature 

Mooring SM In Water Start Data Start Data Start Data Exceptions 

Out Water Stop Data Stop Data Stop Data 

M14 - M15 

1 10094 03/28/94 13 :40 I 

recovered CM 16 

16 10093 03/24/9412 :59 03/24/9413 :30 03/24/9413 :30 03/24/9413 :30 

05/30/9419 :38 05/30/9419 :30 05/30/9419 :30 05/30/9419:30 

17 10096 04/01/94 12 :49 04/01/94 13 :00 04/01/94 13 :00 04/01/94 13 :00 A j 

05/29/94 18 :04 04/17/94 00:00 05/29/94 17 :30 05/29/94 17 :30 

20 10092 03/31/94 13 :24 03/31/94 13 :30 04/15/94 00:00 03/31/94 13 :30 B I 

05/31/9414 :59 05/31/9414 :30 05/31/9414 :30 05/31/9414 :30 

23 not 

deployed 

M15 - M16 

1 10094 03/28/9413 :40 03/28/9414 :00 03/28/9414 :00 03/28/9414 :00 

07/29/9412 :01 07/29/9411 :30 07/29/9411 :30 07/29/9411 :30 

16 10096 05/30/94 19:38 05/30/94 20:00 05/30/94 20 :00 05/30/94 20:00 A 

07/26/94 11 :54 06/02J94 01 :00 07/26/94 11 :00 07/26/94 11 :00 

17 not 

deployed 

20 10093 05/31/9415 :00 05/31/9415 :30 05/31194 15 :30 05/31/9415 :30 

07/31/9419 :02 08/01/9418 :30 08/01/9418 :30 08/01/9418:30 

23 10092 06/01/9415 :31 06/01/9416 :00 06/01/9416 :00 06/01/9416 :00 B 

07/31/9414 :04 07/31/9413 :30 07/31/9413 :30 07/31/9413:30 

M16 - M17 

1 10094 07/29/9416 :59 

recovered CM 18 

16 not I 

deployed 

17 not 

deployed 

20 10093 08/01/94 15 :00 08/01/94 23 :00 08/Oll94 23:00 no data C 

10/03/94 17 :00 10/03/94 17 :00 10/03/94 17 :00 no data 

23 not 

deployed 
26 

Table 3 .2 .5 . MiniSpec directional wave gauge deployment data (continued). 

hliniSpec - Data Ranges -Third Field Year (Continued) 

Deploy.-Recov . Cruise Pressure Current Temperature 

Mooring SIN In Water Start Data Start Data Start Data Exceptions 

Out Water Stop Data Stop Data Stop Data 

M17 - M18 

1 10094 07/29/94 16 :59 07/29/94 19 :00 07/29/94 19 :00 07/29/94 19:00 A C 

12106/94 14 :25 12!03/94 04:00 12106/94 13 :00 12106/94 13 :00 

16 not 

deployed 

17 not 

deployed 

20 10093 10/03/94 21 :31 10/03/94 22:30 10/03/94 22 :30 10/03/94 22:30 

11/30/94 14 :43 11/30/94 14 :30 11/30/94 14 :30 11/30/94 14:30 

23 10096 10/02/94 14:45 10/02/94 15 :30 no data 10/02194 15 :30 B D 

12/05/94 15 :57 12/05/94 15 :30 no data 12105/94 15 :30 

-' 

Exception Descriptions 

A - Pressure sensor failure 

B - Current sensor failure 

C - No average mode data 

( D - No burst pressure data 
27 

MooPrino 1 ' 

V 

T 

MooPring 16 

V 

T 

MooPring 17 

V 

T 

MooPring 20 

V 

T 

Mooring 23 

P 

V 

T 

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 

1994 

Figure 3 .2 .3 . Timelines of MiniSpec data returns during the third field year. 

P = pressure, V = current velocity, and T = temperature. 
28 

The absence of average data presents a unique problem with the QA/QC of this data set. 

Since their calibration at NOAA's Northwest Regional Calibration Center in the summer 

of 1993 (Kelly et al . 1993), on 13 of 22 MiniSpec deployments the instruments were 

configured to record burst temperature . For those deployments where burst temperature 

was not recorded, temperature recorded in the average mode was used to calibrate the 

pressure sensors . S/N 10093 recovered on M17 was not configured to record burst 

temperature and, therefore, recorded no temperature data during this deployment period . 

The pressure data were calibrated using sea-surface temperature measured by the 

InterOcean S4 current meter moored several meters above the MiniSpec . 

Three MiniSpecs were recovered on cruise M18: S/N 10093, 10094, and 10096, at 

moorings 20, 1, and 23, respectively . SIN 10093 and 10096 had been deployed in 

October 1994 on M17, while S/N 10094 was deployed in July 1994 on M16. The 

pressure, temperature, and current velocity data of S/N 10093 appear reasonable with no 

obvious malfunction of the instrument's sensors . The instrument was not set to record 

temperature while in burst mode, so average mode temperature data was used when 

applying the LATEX pressure calibration parameters . The orientation angles measured 

by the divers, however, are highly suspect. Upon deployment of this instrument the 

measured orientation of the +v velocity component was 225° . Upon recovery this 

orientation was 20°. Directional parameters calculated for this instrument are flagged as 

questionable . 

S/N 10094 failed to record any data in average mode . Burst temperature was recorded . 

Wave statistics from pressure and velocity data recorded by this instrument indicated that 

the pressure sensor malfunctioned around 04:OOZ on 3 December 1994 . The malfunction 

also was evident in the tidal mode pressure data. These pressure data are flagged as 

questionable . Directional parameters measured by this meter are suspect and also marked 

as questionable . 

Because of a current sensor malfunction, S/N 10096 failed to record any current 

velocities . It also failed to record any burst pressure data because it was set to record x-y 

current and temperature only . Therefore, this instrument recorded only temperature and 

average pressure . Gaps in the average pressure record were filled by linear interpolation 

of the tidal mode pressure record . 

3 .2 .3 .3 Meteorological Data 

Internally-recorded, meteorological data collected during the third year of deployment 

were recovered during mooring maintenance cruises M15 through M18. Table 3 .2 .6 

summarizes the recovery results for the third field year. Calibrations and processing of 

the data from the meterological buoys were completed as described in section 2 .2 .3.3 of 

Jochens and Nowlin (1994b). 
29 

Table 3.2 .6 . Meteorological data recovered April - December 1994. 

Deploy Recovery Start End 

Mooring Cruise Cruise Data Data Exceptions 

17 M16 M17 07/24/1994 12 :00 09/27.1994 13 :00 a,d,e,f 

17 M17 M18 10/04/1994 09 :00 12/02/1994 22 :00 b 

19 M14 M15 03/24/1994 00:35 05/29/1994 21 :35 a,c,d 

19 M15 M16 05/30/1994 01 :00 07/24/1994 14 :00 

19 M16 M17 07/24/1994 20:00 09/30/1994 11 :00 

19 M17 M18 09/30/1994 15 :45 12/02/1994 10:45 

20 M14 M15 03/31/1994 14 :30 05/31/1994 11 :30 f,h 

20 M16 M 17 08/01/1994 20:30 10/03/1994 15 :30 b 

20 M 17 M18 10/03/1994 20:25 11/30/1994 11 :25 f 

22 M14 M15 04/01/1994 01 :00 05/28/1994 22 :00 

22 M15 M16 05/29/1994 02 :30 07/28/1994 22 :30 

22 M16 M17 08/01/1994 01 :45 10/02/1994 22 :45 c 

22 M17 M18 10/03/1994 03 :09 12/01/1994 12 :09 b,d 

50 M14 M 15 03/30/1994 23 :54 05/31/1994 19 :54 

51 M14 M 15 03/31/1994 19 :30 05/28/1994 17 :30 

52 M14 M15 04/01/1994 06 :00 05/29/1994 07 :00 b,c,d 

Exceptions 

a. Significant part of the wind direction record flagged as bad. 

b. Significant part of the wind speed record flagged as bad. 

c . Significant part of the pressure record flagged as bad. 

d . Significant part of the air temperature record flagged as bad. 

e. Significant part of the sea temperature record flagged as bad. 

f. Entire wind direction record flag Qed as bad. 

g . Entire wind speed record flagged as bad. 

h . Entire pressure record flagged as bad . 

i . Entire air temperature record flagged as bad. 

j . Entire sea temperature record flagged as bad. 

k. Suspect wind direction. 

cc 

1 . Suspect air temperature . 
30 

17 

19 

20 

.C- 22 L . 

2 50 

51 

52 

53 

Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 

1994 

Figure 3.2 .4 . Meteorological buoy data recovered during the third field year. 
31 

3.2 .3 .4 Cyclogenesis Study 

Cyclogenesis is defined as any development or strengthening of cyclonic circulation in 

the atmosphere . The term is applied here to the development of low-pressure systems 

over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Between 1972 and 1983, an average of 10 .4 

winter cyclones developed each year over the LATEX region . Of these, 5 to 6 cyclones 

per year developed central pressures at or below 1010 mb. The period April - December 

1994 saw a total of 17 cyclogenesis events, of which 11 attained central pressures of or 

below 1010 mb or at least class 2 in Hsu's (1993) classification scheme (Table 3 .2 .7). 

Table 3 .2.7 . Winter cyclogenesis over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, 

April through December 1994 

Month BeQinnina Dav* Intensity** 

April 19 1 

April 22 2 

May 2 1 

May 14 2 

June 2 2 

June 21 1 

September 9 0 

September 14 0 

September 15 2 

September 22 2 

October 1 3 

October 8 2 

October 29 2 

November 29 1 

December 3 2 

December 28 2 

December 31 2 

~` The beginning date listed marked the first appearance over the northwestern Gulf of 

either the letter "L" or the word "Low" or a closed isobar on the 0700 EST NOAA Daily 

Weather Map. 

"" The intensity classification is based on Hsu (1993) . The data source is "Daily Weather 

Maps", published weekly by NOAA. 

3 .2 .3 .5 IES Data 

One inverted echo sounder (Sea Data Model 1665) was placed with an acoustic release 

within one meter of the sea bed in 1500 m of water at mooring 42 in July 1993 . It was 

recovered in July 1994. The IES data has been converted to engineering units by Earl 

Childress of Woods Hole Instruments System, Ltd. The instrument was not redeployed . 
32 

3 .3 Drifting Buov Measurements 

3 .3 .1 Deployment Times and Locations 

Six satellite-tracked drifting buoys (drifters) were released in the LATEX study area in 

the third year of the field program. The last three of the original sixteen LATEX A 

drifters were released 1 May 1994 during cruise H08. Three additional drifters donated 

to the LATEX A program by Dr. Thomas Berger of SAIC were deployed 3 November 

1994 during cruise H10. The donated drifters were of the same holey-sock design as the 

original sixteen except that two, 07834 and 07833, were drogued at 50 m and one, 07839, 

was drogued at 100 m. The original sixteen drifters were drogued at 9 m. 

According to the contract, drifters were to be implaced on both sides of the coastal frontal 

boundary zone, mid-shelf, and near the shelf break on each deployment cruise . In May 

1994, as in the previous May, drifters released by another MMS-sponsored program, the 

Surface Current Lagrangian Program (SCULP) were active in the inner to mid-shelf 

region. Consequently, the LATEX A drifters were released near the shelf break at 

approximately the same locations as in the May 1993 deployment. In the November 

1994 deployment, the donated drifters were released at the eastern end of the LATEX 

study area near the shelf break. The locations were chosen to be compatible with the 

longer tethers and to support the study of the cross-shelf flow near the shelf break during 

the passage of a Loop Current eddy. 

Table 3 .3 .1 lists the drifting buoys by their Platform Transmitter Terminal identification 

numbers CARGOS ID) along with dates and times of their operation, release locations, 

and the number of days that transmissions were received . 

Table 3 .3 . l . LATEX A drifter deployment dates and disposition . 

ARGOS ID Dates Time(UTC) Latitude Longitude Gulf Data 

06940 01-May-94 07 :15 27059 .6'N 94°02.1'W 26 days 

26-May-94 15 :04 28014 .0'N 93021 .9'W 

03584 01-May-94 10:08 27047 .6'N 94011 .9'W 60 days 

29-June-94 02 :07 290157N 93011 .4'W 

06936 O1-May-94 08 :29 27°54 .5'N 94010 .1'W 11 days 

11-June-94 23 :27 280457N 91°46 .1'W 

07839 03-Nov-94 11 :53 27°56 .7'N 91032 .3'W 165 days 

17-April-95 15 :28 43050 .0'N 42052.9'W 

07834 03-Nov-94 19:29 28002 .6'N 900385W 13 days 

15-Nov-94 23 :06 270515N 90029.9'W 

07833 03-Nov-94 15 :41 280007N 910055W 54 days 

26-Dec-94 00:26 26054 .8'N 79~56.9'W 

3 .3 .2 Instrumentation and Sampling Procedures 

A physical description of the drifting buoys, their instrumentation, data recovery 

methods, predeployment tasks, and bench testing were described in section 9.5 of Nowlin 
33 

et al . (1991) and section 2.3 .2 of Jochens and Nowlin (1994b). A description of the 

deployment method was described in Jochens and Nowlin (1995) . 

3 .3 .3 Summary of Data Collection 

Details of the steps used to process the drifting buoy data can be found in section 2.3 .3 of 

Jochens and Nowlin (1994b). A change in the processing was made in the third year. In 

the past, only those temperatures accompanying locations were retained. However, in the 

method used by Service ARGOS to determine locations, more temperature observations 

are collected than locations . Service ARGOS determines a drifter's location based on 

repeated measurements of the Doppler shift as the satellite passes across the horizon. 

This method results in multiple messages being received by the satellite over awide 

angle. At times, either the number of messages are too few or the angle between them is 

too small and no location is generated during that pass ; however, a temperature 

observation accompanies each message. Thus, whether a location is determined or not, 

there are always more temperature measurements than locations. The change in 

procedure is that all temperatures were retained during the spline-fitting process 

described in the earlier reports, and all drifter data sets have been reprocessed in this way. 

Following their release, drifters 06936, 03584, and 06940 moved in near-parallel 

trajectories for three weeks, at first towards the northwest across the shelf then northeast 

alongshelf. Drifter 06940 stopped transmitting after 25 days. The two remaining buoys 

continued to drift northeast until early June, when the inshore drifter, 06940, turned 

northward and 06936 took a more easterly route. In the second week of June, drifter 

06936 was captured by unknown persons and taken to Brownsville, Texas, where it 

continued transmitting for approximately ten months . Drifter 03584 moved downcoast 

the third week of June and upcoast the fourth week. This behavior was similar in timing 

and trajectory to that of drifters released in May of 1993 . 

In November 1994, a Loop Current eddy was located south of the Mississippi delta and 

was slowly translating westward. Three drifters were deployed northeast of the eddy near 

the 200-m isobath. Initially, all three drifters moved offshore and clockwise around the 

north wall of the eddy . Drifter 07833 was captured three days later by personnel aboard a 

supply boat. They returned with the drifter to Morgan City, Louisiana, and telephoned to 

report the find. They were asked to redeploy the drifter where they found it and they did 

so within three days of its recovery. Drifters 07833 and 07839 drifted southward along 

the eastern limb of the ring. In December they left the ring and joined the northward 

flowing limb of the Loop Current . Both drifters exited the Gulf of Mexico around 20 

December. Drifter 07833 ceased transmitting shortly thereafter . Drifter 07839 

continued to travel with the Gulf Stream to the northern mid-Atlantic Ocean. The last 

message was transmitted on 17 April 1995 from 43°48'N, 42°54'W . Initially, the third 

drifter, 07834, paralleled the trajectory of drifters 07833 and 07839; however, 07834 was 

captured 12 days after release by unknown persons . It moved in and out of Morgan City 

in a pattern that suggests that the boat was a fishing vessel . 

3 .4 Hvdrogranhic Measurements 

3 .4 .1 Synopsis of Hydrographic Surveys 

For the third field year, the second field year hydrographic survey plan was modified to 

sample the shelf more effectively . LATEX A, with concurrence of MMS and the 

LATEX Science Advisory Panel, extended cross-shelf transect lines seaward to about the 
34 

1000-m isobath by reducing the number of stations across the shelf and adding two deepwater stations. This change was instituted after it was determined during the year two 

cruises that shelf-edge processes could be better defined by extending the cross-shelf 

transects into deeper water. To provide the ship time needed for this extension, the 50-m 

isobath alongshelf transect line was eliminated for all cruiss in year three. Each cruise 

covered the entire Texas-Louisiana shelf from south of Terrebonne Bay, Louisiana, to 

Brownsville, Texas. Carrie A. Neuhard of Texas A&M University served as Chief 

Scientist on all three LATEX A hydrography cruises in the third field year. 

3.4 .1 .1 Cruise H08CGY9401 

The eighth LATEX Shelf hydrographic survey (H08) was conducted in one leg from the 

R/V Gyre, departing Galveston, Texas, on 23 April 1994 and returning 07 May 1994. 

Figure 3 .4 .1 shows the station locations and the cruise track followed during the survey. 

Table 3 .4.1 gives the station number, date and time, location, water depth and number of 

bottles tripped at each station . Hydrographic stations were occupied at 170 locations . 

Three AGROS-tracked drifting buoys were launched during cruise H08 (Table 3.3.1) . 

Seven complementary programs were accommodated on this cruise. Primary production 

measurements were taken by Gaston Gonzales, a graduate student of Dr. Sayed El-Sayed 

at TAMU. Measurements of photosynthesis vs . irradiance were made at 22 stations by 

Xiaogang Chen, a graduate student of Dr. Steve Lohrenz at the Center for Marine 

Sciences, USM . Gravity cores were collected at 126 sites for sediment analysis by Dan 

Bean, a graduate student of Dr. Niall Slowey (TAMU). Six additional gravity cores were 

collected for Youcheng Zhang, a graduate student of Dr. Wilford Gardner at TAMU who 

deploys sediment traps as part of LATEX B . Box cores were taken at 12 stations and 

excess water from 52 stations was collected for Dr. Enriqueta Barrera of the University of 

Michigan's Department of Geology, for analysis of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon 

isotopes. Zooplankton samples were preserved by Cammie Coulter, a research technician 

who conducted sampling for Dr. Ed Buskey of UTMSI. 

This was the only LATEX hydrography cruise during which bottom samples were 

collected . The surface sediment samples from the cores will be analyzed by other 

investigators for organic carbon, carbonate content, and grain size distribution . These 

data will help interpret the LATEX suspended particulate material measurements . 

Additional funding for the ship time needed to collect the cores was provided by Dr. 

Kathleen Fisher of the Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, Mississippi . 

3 .4 .1 .2 Cruise H09CPW9410 

The ninth LATEX A hydrography cruise (H09) was conducted in one leg from the R/V 

J.W. Potivell, departing Galveston, Texas, on 26 July 1994 and returning 07 August 1994. 

Figure 3.4.2 shows the station locations and the cruise track. Table 3 .4.2 gives the station 

number, date and time, location, water depth, and number of bottles tripped for each 

station . Hydrographic stations were occupied at 170 locations. 

Sampling for four complementary research programs was undertaken during the cruise . 

Primary production measurements were made at nine stations by Gaston Gonzales, a 

graduate student of Dr. Sayed El-Sayed at TAMU. Measurements of phytosynthesis vs . 

irradiance profiles in the ocean were made at 17 stations by Xiaogang Chen, a graduate 

student of Dr . Steven Lohrenz at USM. Water samples from 59 locations were collected 
30 

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HOSCGY9401 

23 April - 7 May, 1994 

-97 -96 -95 -94 -93 -92 -91 -90 -89 

Figure 3 .4 .1 . CTD stations and cruise track, LATEX H08. 

w 

v, 
36 

Table 3.4 .1 . Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H08. 

Station Date Time (UTC) Latitude N Longitude W Depth Niskins 

1 24APR94 1823 27°49.65' 94010.84' 170 12 

2 24APR94 2032 27°4923' 94°00.02' 206 12 

3 24APR94 2301 27°48.29' 93°46.27' 193 12 

4 25APR94 0200 27°49.03' 93°32.57' 199 12 

5 25APR94 0408 27°49.87' 93°19.14' 148 12 

6 25APR94 0638 27°50.08' 93°05.29' 182 12 

7 25APR94 0933 27°52.51' 92°51 .39' 213 12 

8 25APR94 1148 27°55.16' 92°37.47' 192 12 

9 25APR94 1402 27°55.13' 92°23.39' 87 9 

10 25APR94 1603 27°55.14' 92°09.97' 143 12 

11 25APR94 1800 27°54.95' 91°57.93' 140 12 

12 25APR94 2103 27°54.78' 91045.89' 172 11 

13 25APR94 2317 27°56 .62' 91°32.67' 230 8 

14 26APR94 0152 27°58 .14' 91019.54' 267 12 

15 26APR94 0428 28°00 .39' 91005.85' 136 11 

16 26APR94 0636 28°01 .37' 90°52.41' 189 12 

17 26APR94 0851 28°02 .72' 90°38.58' 163 12 

18 26APR94 1254 27°39 .71' 90°29.99' 925 12 

19 26APR94 1542 27°45 .72' 90°29.99' 820 12 

20 26APR94 1808 27°51 .71' 90°30.00' 650 12 

21 26APR94 2028 27°57 .97' 90°30.13' 441 12 

22 26APR94 2244 28°04 .64' 90°30.19' 151 12 

23 27APR94 0011 28010 .47' 90°30.29' 95 11 

24 27APR94 0134 28°16 .81' 90°30.00' 62 9 

25 27APR94 0235 28°21 .00' 90°29.97' 50 7 

26 27APR94 0359 28°25 .42' 90°29.97' 45 7 

27 27APR94 0525 28°31 .63' 90°30.19' 36 6 

28 27APR94 0635 28°37 .96' 90°30.35' 22 5 

29 27APR94 0755 28°43 .95' 90°30.37' 19 5 

30 27APR94 0854 28°49 .98' 90°30 .61' 20 5 

31 27APR94 0950 28°54 .00' 90°30.61' 15 4 

32 27APR94 1101 28°58 .11' 90°30 .63' 13 4 

33 27APR94 2118 29°10 .86' 92°00 .00' 5 5 

34 27APR94 2245 29°06 .59' 92°00 .06' 11 4 

35 27APR94 2350 29°02 .29' 92°00 .10' 15 5 

36 28APR94 0115 28°56 .23' 91059 .98' 20 5 

37 28APR94 0230 28°50.27' 92°00.00' 24 6 

38 28APR94 0349 28°44.71' 92°00.09' 30 6 

39 28APR94 0519 28°37 .74' 91059 .89' 39 6 

40 28APR94 0630 28°33 .03' 91059 .86' 44 6 

41 28APR94 0742 28°26.77' 91°59 .87' 55 7 

42 28APR94 0912 28°21 .13' 91059.80' 61 7 

43 28APR94 1032 28014.70' 91059.90' 69 7 

44 28APR94 1210 28°08 .93' 91059.93' 83 11 

45 28APR94 1337 28°02.71' 91059.96' 106 12 

46 28APR94 1517 27°56.81' 92°00.07' 100 10 

47 28APR94 1644 27°50.69' 91059.98' 198 12 

48 28APR94 1822 27°44.93' 91059.91' 495 12 

49 28APR94 2015 27°38.95' 91059.95' 842 12 

50 28APR94 2232 27°32.94' 91059.97' 736 12 

51 29APR94 0632 27°27 .41' 92°59.96' 953 12 

52 29APR94 0911 27°33 .41' 92°59.95' 661 12 
37 

Table 3 .4 .1 . Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H08 (continued) . 

Station Date Time (UTC) Latitude N Longitude W Depth Niskins 

53 29APR94 1108 27039.42' 92059.93' 316 12 

54 29APR94 1240 27045 .27' 93000.16' 205 12 

55 29APR94 1428 27052 .86' 93000.12' 190 12 

56 29APR94 1608 28001 .82' 92059.87' 102 10 

57 29APR94 1733 28010.84' 92059.92' 71 10 

58 29APR94 1858 28018 .50' 92059.89' 52 8 

59 29APR94 2016 28025 .38' 92059.92' 48 8 

60 29APR94 2132 28031 .86' 92059.97' 43 7 

61 29APR94 2253 28038 .40' 92059.92' 33 7 

62 29APR94 2356 28044.92' 92059.93' 30 6 

63 30APR94 0108 28051 .41' 93000.00' 25 5 

64 30APR94 0206 28057 .82' 92059.99' 22 5 

65 30APR94 0311 29003 .99' 92059.97' 22 5 

66 30APR94 0419 29010.04' 93000.06' 18 5 

67 30APR94 0515 29015 .94' 93000.19' 18 5 

68 30APR94 0618 29022 .01' 92059.98' 14 4 

69 30APR94 0729 29027 .93' 92059.97' 13 4 

70 30APR94 0831 29034 .06' 93000.08' 10 4 

71 30APR94 1431 29032 .04' 94000.17' 11 4 

72 30APR94 1540 29026 .63' 94°00.10' 12 4 

73 30APR94 1629 29°21 .61' 94000.13' 10 4 

74 30APR94 1728 29016 .19' 94°00.10' 13 5 

75 30APR94 1825 29°10.01' 94000.08' 16 5 

76 30APR94 1926 29003 .77' 94000.14' 19 5 

77 30APR94 2017 28°57 .91' 94000.12' 17 5 

78 30APR94 2116 28051 .88' 93059 .96' 25 6 

79 30APR94 2209 28046 .00' 94000.07' 25 6 

80 30APR94 2309 28039 .62' 93059 .94' 29 6 

81 0 1 MAY94 0016 28°33 .81' 93059 .93' 37 7 

82 0 1 MAY94 0117 28027 .94' 93059 .97' 43 6 

83 0 1 MAY94 0219 28021 .94' 94000.00' 51 7 

84 0 1 MAY94 0334 28016.00' 94001 .28' 58 8 

85 O1 MAY94 0438 28008 .96' 94003 .76' 66 8 

86 O1 MAY94 0537 28004.64' 94005 .52' 70 8 

87 0 1 MAY94 0634 27059 .52' 94007 .50' 82 9 

88 0 1 MAY94 0747 27054.13' 94009.32' 96 10 

89 0 1 MAY94 0921 27047 .97' 94011 .42' 269 12 

90 O1MAY94 1038 27044.25' 94012.22' 442 12 

91 O 1 MAY94 1215 27039.61' 94013 .47' 427 11 

92 O1 MAY94 1421 27033 .60' 94014.64' 662 12 

93 O1MAY94 1612 27027.73' 94016.20' 1012 12 

94 0 1 MAY94 2348 28015 .60' 94032.41' 49 6 

95 02MAY94 0052 28°21 .00' 94033.57' 43 7 

96 02MAY94 0159 28026.40' 94035.15' 39 7 

97 02MAY94 0304 28031 .77' 94036.60' 34 7 

98 02MAY94 0404 28037.18' 94038.42' 29 7 

99 02MAY94 0509 28042.56' 94039.89' 26 6 

100 02MAY94 0623 28048.00' 94041 .46' 18 5 

101 02MAY94 0724 28053.38' 94043.23' 20 5 

102 02MAY94 0824 28058.76' 94044.45' 17 4 

103 02MAY94 0932 29004.44' 94046.24' 18 4 

104 02MAY94 1043 29010.16' 94047.98' 14 4 
38 

Table 3 .4 .1 . Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H08 (continued) 

Station Date Time (UTC) Latitude N Longitude W Depth Niskins 

105 02MAY94 1604 28042 .20' 95032.20' 16 4 

106 02MAY94 1659 28037 .45' 95029.30' 18 4 

107 02MAY94 1759 28032 .36' 95026.34' 26 5 

108 02MAY94 1905 28027 .00' 95023.47' 30 6 

109 02MAY94 2014 28021 .62' 95020.85' 33 7 

110 02MAY94 2139 28016.42' 95017.84' 38 7 

111 02MAY94 2248 28010.43' 95015 .06' 47 7 

112 02MAY94 2358 28005.02' 95°12.11' 56 7 

113 03MAY94 0109 27059.64' 95009.10' 76 9 

114 03MAY94 0208 27054.07' 95006.41' 108 11 

115 03MAY94 0321 27048.55' 95003 .57' 265 12 

116 03MAY94 0455 27043.01' 95000.68' 508 12 

117 03MAY94 0645 27037.69' 94057 .58' 704 12 

118 03MAY94 0938 27032.38' 94°54 .81' 853 12 

119 03MAY94 1455 27023 .40' 95037 .32' 920 12 

120 03MAY94 1701 27027 .61' 95042 .13' 704 12 

121 03MAY94 1845 27031 .49' 95°47 .11' 519 12 

122 03MAY94 2026 27°36.11' 95052.68' 187 12 

123 03MAY94 2142 27041 .12' 95058.25' 101 10 

124 03MAY94 2251 27°45 .31' 96°03.31' 77 7 

125 03MAY94 2348 27048 .62' 96007.86' 66 7 

126 04MAY94 0102 27053 .97' 96013.5 1' 49 6 

127 04MAY94 0158 27058 .20' 96018.94' 36 6 

128 04MAY94 0254 28002 .39' 96024.05' 26 5 

129 04MAY94 0359 28°07 .81' 96030.02' 18 5 

130 04MAY94 0503 28012 .60' 96036.04' 9 4 

131 04MAY94 1155 27015 .42' 97016.05' 17 4 

132 04MAY94 1255 27014 .42' 97009.61' 24 5 

133 04MAY94 1357 27013.54' 97003.12' 32 6 

134 04MAY94 1456 27012.69' 96056.22' 42 8 

135 04MAY94 1600 27°11 .91' 96049.60' 56 8 

136 04MAY94 1717 27011 .0 5 ' 96°42.91' 71 9 

137 04MAY94 1817 27010.17' 96036.37' 88 10 

138 04MAY94 1918 27009.09' 96029.80' 113 12 

139 04MAY94 2042 27°08.11' 96°22.81' 184 12 

140 04MAY94 2205 27006.88' 96016.97' 314 12 

141 04MAY94 2326 27005 .98' 96012.59' 443 12 

142 05MAY94 0108 27005 .27' 96005 .25' 613 12 

143 05MAY94 0252 27°04.31' 95058 .92' 721 12 

144 05MAY94 1105 26000.97' 95058 .34' 1030 12 

145 05MAY94 1317 26000.99' 96005 .13' 821 12 

146 05MAY94 1510 26000.62' 96011 .56' 652 12 

147 05MAY94 1653 26000.80' 96018 .66' 210 12 

148 05MAY94 1808 26°00.71' 96025 .25' 84 8 

149 05MAY94 1918 26000.96' 96031 .83' 59 7 

150 05MAY94 2022 26000.98' 96038 .62' 48 7 

151 05MAY94 2119 26000.96' 96044.99' 44 6 

152 05MAY94 2218 26000.96' 96051 .45' 36 6 

153 05MAY94 2322 26001 .48' 96°58 .11' 29 6 

154 06MAY94 0018 26001 .37' 97004.54' 19 5 

155 06MAY94 0519 26°08 .61' 96019 .93' 235 12 

156 06MAY94 0710 26019 .80' 96017.85' 262 12 
Table 3 .4 .1 . Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H08 (continued) . 

39 

Station Date Time (UTC) Latitude N Longitude W Depth Niskins 

157 06MAY94 0912 26°31 .82' 96019.93' 302 12 

158 06MAY94 1124 26°43 .76' 96°26.25' 206 12 

159 06MAY94 1322 26°55 .82' 96°26.25' 207 12 

160 06MAY94 1507 27°06.31' 96°20.73' 230 12 

161 06MAY94 1731 27016.79' 96015 .21' 204 12 

162 06MAY94 1921 27°25 .79' 96°06.24' 205 12 

163 06MAY94 2114 27°32.41' 95°54.48' 273 12 

164 06MAY94 2310 27°39.04' 95°42.68' 250 12 

165 07MAY94 0106 27°42.49' 95°30.13' 312 12 

166 07MAY94 0302 27°45 .69' 95°17 .21' 267 12 

167 07MAY94 0458 27°47.90' 95°02.91' 307 12 

168 07MAY94 0653 27°50.16' 94°48.58' 238 12 

169 07MAY94 0841 27°50.13' 94°35 .31' 272 12 

170 07MAY94 1033 27°50.05' 94°21 .66' 172 12 

for Dr . Enriqueta Barrera of the Department of Geology at the University of Michigan, 

for analysis of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon isotopes as part of her study of planktonic 

foraminifera. Phytoplankton water samples were preserved from 31 stations and 12 

plankton net tows were collected for Paula Bontempi, a TAMU graduate student working 

on a project funded by the Office of Naval Research. The Naval Oceanographic Office, 

Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, provided a K-meter to measure the diffuse attenuation 

coefficient of light at three stations. 

3.4 .1 .3 Cruise H l OCGY9409 

The tenth and final LATEX A hydrography cruise (H 10) was conducted in one leg from 

the R/V Gyre, departing Galveston, Texas, on 02 November 1994 and returning 14 

November 1994. Figure 3 .4 .3 shows the station locations and the cruise track. Table 

3 .4 .3 gives the station number, date and time, location, water depth, and number of 

bottles tripped for each station. Hydrographic stations were occupied at 171 locations. 

Sixty-one XBTs were launched at intervals between stations along the 200-m isobath. 

Three AGROS-tracked drifting buoys were launched during cruise H10 (Table 3.3 .1) . 

Five complementary research efforts were accommodated . Primary production 

measurements were made at ten stations by Gaston Gonzales, graduate student of Dr. 

Sayed El-Sayed at TAMU. Measurements of photosynthesis vs. irradiance were made at 

21 stations by Xiaogang Chen, a graduate student of Dr. Steve Lohrenz at the Center for 

Marine Sciences, USM. Water samples from 59 stations were collected for Dr. Enriqueta 

Barrera of the University of Michigan Department of Geology for analysis of oxygen, 

nitrogen and carbon isotopes . Phytoplankton water samples were preserved from 31 

stations and 12 plankton net tows were collected for Paula Bontempi, a TAMU graduate 

student working on a project funded by the Office of Naval Research. Water samples 

were preserved for zooplankton identification by Noe Barrera, who collected the samples 

for Dr. Ed Buskey of UTMSI. 
0 

30 

29 

28 

27 

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H09CPW9410 

23 July - 7 August, 1994 

-97 -96 -95 -94 -93 -92 -91 -90 -89 

Figure 3 .4 .2 . CTD stations and cruise track, LATEX H09. 
41 

Table 3 .4 .2 . Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H09. 

Station Date Time (UTC) Latitude N Longitude W Depth Niskins 

1 27JUL94 1342 27°49.65' 94010.84' 168 12 

2 27JUL94 1527 27°4924' 94°00.02' 194 12 

3 27JLJL94 1802 27°48.28' 93°46.27' 192 12 

4 27JUL94 1953 27°48.98' 93°32.54' 201 12 

5 27JUL94 2137 27°49.83' 93°19.13' 151 12 

6 27JUL94 2311 27°50.07' 93°0527' 173 12 

7 28JUL94 0106 27°52.49' 92°51 .38' 222 12 

8 28JUL94 0418 27°55 .13' 92°37.46' 199 12 

9 28JUL94 0609 27°55 .14' 92°23.42' 82 9 

10 28JUL94 0752 27°55.14' 92°09.95' 148 12 

11 28JUL94 1024 27°54 .94' 91057.91' 151 12 

12 28JLTI.94 1159 27°54 .77' 91°45.88' 172 12 

13 28JUL94 1338 27°56 .61' 91032.70' 227 12 

14 28JUL94 1507 27°58 .14' 91019.48' 269 12 

15 28JUL94 1640 28°00.39' 91005.83' 137 12 

16 28JUL94 1812 28°01 .37' 90°52.40' 200 12 

17 28JUL94 2005 28°02 .71' 90°38 .59' 169 12 

18 28JUL94 2247 27°39 .71' 90°30.00' 1042 12 

19 29JUL94 0045 27°45 .71' 90°30.01' 825 12 

20 29JUL94 0208 27°51 .71' 90°30.00' 660 12 

21 29JUL94 0507 27°57 .97' 90°30.16' 441 12 

22 29JUL94 0623 28°04.66' 90°3022' 158 12 

23 29JUL94 0728 28010.46' 90°30.31' 92 11 

24 29JUL94 0826 28° 16.81' 90°30.00' 62 9 

25 29JUL94 0911 28°21 .00' 90°29.96' 50 7 

26 29JUL94 0956 28°25.41' 90°29.98' 45 7 

27 29JUL94 1050 28°31 .62' 90°30.18' 36 6 

28 29JUL94 1142 28°37.94' 90°30.31' 22 5 

29 29JUL94 1232 28°43.94' 90°30.35' 19 5 

30 29JUL94 1321 28°49 .99' 90°30.56' 20 5 

31 29JUL94 1357 28°54 .00' 90°30.61' 15 4 

32 29JUL94 1521 28°58 .11' 90°30.60' 12 4 

33 30JUL94 0040 29010-87' 91059 .99' 7 4 

34 30JUL94 0137 29°06.60' 92°00 .06' 11 5 

35 30JUL94 0226 29°02 .29' 92°00 .09' 16 5 

36 30JUL94 0338 28°56.22' 91059 .99' 22 5 

37 30JUL94 0436 28°50.26' 92°00.00' 27 6 

38 30JLJL94 0532 28°44.70' 92°00.08' 32 6 

39 30JUL94 0644 28°37.72' 91059 .88' 40 6 

40 30JUL94 0731 28°33.00' 91059.85' 45 6 

41 30JUL94 0827 28°26.77' 91059.86' 56 7 

42 30JUL94 0924 28°21 .13' 91059.83' 60 7 

43 30JUL94 1027 28014.68' 91059.90' 69 7 

44 30JUL94 1152 28°08.94' 91059.92' 83 11 

45 30JUL94 1325 28°02.71' 91059.97' 106 12 

46 30JIJI.94 1427 27°56 .79' 92°00.08' 101 11 

47 30JUL94 1529 27°50 .68' 91059.97' 200 12 

48 30JLTL94 1702 27°45 .30' 92°00.01' 486 12 

49 30JUL94 1902 27°38 .93' 91°59.96' 843 12 

50 30JiJL94 2030 27°32 .94' 91059.96' 727 12 

51 31JUL94 0305 27°27 .41' 92°59 .94' 942 12 

52 31 JUL94 0456 27°33 .41' 92°59 .94' 650 12 
42 

Table 3 .4 .2 . Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H09 (continued) . 

Station Date Time (UTC) Latitude N Longitude W Depth Niskins 

53 31JUL94 0627 27039.41' 92059.91' 309 12 

54 31JUL94 0932 27045 .28' 93000.14' 204 11 

55 31JUI.94 1050 27052.86' 93000.12' 191 11 

56 31JUL94 1230 28001 .82' 92059.84' 93 10 

57 31JUL94 1337 28010.85' 92059 .92' 72 10 

58 31JUL94 1447 28018.53' 92059.98' 53 8 

59 31JUL94 1606 28025 .37' 92059.93' 49 8 

60 31JUL94 1733 28031 .87' 92059.98' 43 7 

61 31 JUL94 1859 28038.41' 92°59.91' 33 7 

62 31JUL94 1958 28044.93' 92059.93' 29 6 

63 31 JLTL94 2059 28051 .42' 92059.98' 25 5 

64 31JUL94 2158 28057.80' 92059.99' 22 5 

65 31JUL94 2247 29003 .98' 92059.97' 22 5 

66 31JUL94 2334 29010.03' 93000.06' 18 5 

67 0 1 AUG94 0020 29015 .91' 93000.02' 17 5 

68 O1 AUG94 0122 29022.00' 92059.97' 15 4 

69 OlAUG94 0236 29027.93' 92059.95' 13 4 

70 0 1 AUG94 0328 29034.05' 93000.01' 11 4 

71 O1 AUG94 0957 29032.03' 94000.14' 10 4 

72 01 AUG94 1 054 29026.65' 94000.12' 11 4 

73 O1 AUG94 1 138 29021 .60' 94000.13' 10 4 

74 O 1 AUG94 1220 29016.21' 94000.09' 13 5 

75 01 AUG94 1307 29009.98' 94000.06' 17 5 

76 O 1 AUG94 1402 29003 .77' 94000.13' 19 5 

77 0 1 AUG94 1452 28057 .92' 94000.14' 18 5 

78 OlAUG94 1624 28051 .89' 93059.96' 23 6 

79 OlAUG94 1720 28046.01' 94000.09' 24 6 

80 0 1 AUG94 1823 28039.65' 93059 .94' 29 6 

81 0 1 AUG94 1929 28033 .83' 93059.96' 34 7 

82 0 1 AUG94 2031 28027 .95' 93059 .99' 43 6 

83 0 1 AUG94 2143 28021 .94' 93059.99' 52 7 

84 0 1 AUG94 2309 28016.02' 94001 .29' 58 8 

85 02AUG94 0021 28008 .98' 94003 .76' 68 8 

86 02AUG94 0117 28004.65' 94005 .53' 69 8 

87 02AUG94 0223 27059.55' 94007 .50' 81 9 

88 02AUG94 0332 27054.15' 94°09.31' 96 10 

89 02AUG94 0505 27047 .98' 94011 .43' 268 12 

90 02AUG94 0625 27044.24' 94012.20' 450 12 

91 02AUG94 0758 27039.61' 94013 .46' 439 12 

92 02AUG94 1014 27033 .61' 94014.64' 650 12 

93 02AUG94 1222 27027.72' 94016.21' 964 12 

94 02AUG94 1919 28015 .58' 94032.41' 47 6 

95 02AUG94 2019 28020.99' 94033 .58' 42 7 

96 02AUG94 2156 28026.40' 94035 .15' 38 7 

97 02AUG94 2248 28031 .77' 94036.59' 34 7 

98 02AUG94 2341 28037.19' 94038.42' 30 7 

99 03AUG94 0033 28042.58' 94039.90' 26 6 

100 03AUG94 0125 28048.01' 94041 .43' 20 5 

101 03AUG94 0217 28053.40' 94°43.21' 20 5 

102 03AUG94 0329 28058.78' 94044.42' 16 4 

103 03AUG94 0424 29004.50' 94046.23' 18 4 

104 03AUG94 0526 29010.17' 94047.98' 14 4 
43 

Table 3 .4 .2 . Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H09 (continued) . 

Station Date Time (UTC) Latitude N Longitude W Depth Niskins 

105 03AUG94 1020 28042.22' 9503222' 13 4 

106 03AUG94 1112 28037 .46' 95029 .30' 18 4 

107 03AUG94 1158 28032.38' 95026.33' 25 5 

108 03AUG94 1249 28027 .00' 95023 .47' 30 6 

109 03AUG94 1339 28021 .63' 95020.86' 33 8 

110 03AUG94 1443 28016-34' 95017 .84' 39 7 

111 03AUG94 1536 28010.49' 95015 .01' 47 6 

112 03AUG94 1633 28005 .03' 95°12.11' 54 7 

113 03AUG94 1729 27059.64' 95009.10' 78 9 

114 03AUG94 1835 27054.09' 95006.42' 108 11 

115 03AUG94 1948 27048.55' 95003 .60' 258 12 

116 03AUG94 2113 27043 .02' 95000.69' 494 12 

117 03AUG94 2241 27037.67' 94057.59' 693 12 

118 04AUG94 0010 27032.41' 94054.85' 846 12 

119 04AUG94 0516 27023.40' 95037.33' 923 12 

120 04AUG94 0654 27027.61' 95042.12' 708 12 

121 04AUG94 0821 27031 .50' 95°47.11' 517 12 

122 04AUG94 0942 27036.13' 95052.69' 190 12 

123 04AUG94 1047 27041 .09' 95058.18' 102 10 

124 04AUG94 1146 27045.29' 96003.30' 79 7 

125 04AUG94 1235 27048.60' 96007.84' 67 7 

126 04AUG94 1339 27053.98' 96°13.51' 50 6 

127 04AUG94 1437 27058.21' 96018.94' 36 6 

128 04AUG94 1528 28002.40' 96024.05' 27 5 

129 04AUG94 1627 28007.83' 96030.03' 20 5 

130 04AUG94 1742 28012 .61' 96036.02' 10 4 

131 05AUG94 0116 27015 .44' 97016.05' 17 4 

132 05AUG94 0216 27014 .42' 97009.61' 25 5 

133 05AUG94 0324 27013 .55' 97003.13' 33 6 

134 05AUG94 0426 27012-69' 96056.23' 43 7 

135 05AUG94 0529 27011 .93' 96049.59' 56 8 

136 05AUG94 0633 27011 .04' 96042.92' 72 8 

137 05AUG94 0736 27010 .17' 96036.38' 89 10 

138 05AUG94 0848 27009 .09' 96029 .79' 114 11 

139 05AUG94 0955 27°08 .10' 96°22 .81' 183 12 

140 05AUG94 1102 27006.88' 96016 .97' 309 12 

141 05AUG94 1204 27005 .99' 96012 .59' 440 12 

142 05AUG94 1332 27005 .28' 96005 .25' 605 12 

143 05AUG94 1454 27°04.31' 95058 .92' 694 12 

144 06AUG94 2245 26000.96' 95058 .32' 1034 12 

145 06AUG94 0029 26000.97' 96005 .14' 836 12 

146 06AUG94 0200 26°00.61' 96011 .55' 653 12 

147 06AUG94 0322 26000.80' 96018 .66' 208 12 

148 06AUG94 0428 26000.70' 96025 .26' 85 8 

149 06AUG94 0527 26000.96' 96031 .85' 60 8 

150 06AUG94 0626 26000.97' 96038.62' 49 7 

151 06AUG94 0718 26000.96' 96044.97' 44 6 

152 06AUG94 0815 26000.99' 96051 .43' 37 6 

153 06AUG94 0908 26001 .49' 96°58.10' 29 6 

154 06AUG94 1001 26001 .36' 97004.54' 20 4 

155 06AUG94 1420 26008.61' 96019.93' 233 12 

156 06AUG94 1600 26019.81' 96017.84' 229 12 
44 

Table 3 .4 .2 . Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H09 (continued) . 

Station Date Time (UTC) Latitude N Longitude W Depth Niskins 

157 06AUG94 1819 26031 .80' 96019.94' 272 12 

158 06AUG94 2015 26043.78' 96026.24' 203 12 

159 06AUG94 2157 26°55.81' 96026.25' 208 12 

160 06AUG94 2343 2700629' 96020.72' 227 12 

161 07AUG94 0119 27016J8' 96015 .21' 203 12 

162 07AUG94 0304 27025.80' 9600624' 202 12 

163 07AUG94 0457 27032.40' 95054.46' 274 12 

164 07AUG94 0643 27039.01' 95042.68' 238 12 

165 07AUG94 0824 27042.48' 95030.12' 298 12 

166 07AUG94 1009 27045.68' 95017.20' 254 12 

167 07AUG94 1157 27047.91' 95002.88' 310 12 

168 07AUG94 1347 27050.14' 94048.57' 233 12 

169 07AUG94 1518 27050.12' 94035.30' 274 12 

170 07AUG94 1652 27050.06' 94021 .66' 170 12 

171 05AUG94 2343 27026.99' 97012.00' 16 5 
30 

29 

28 

27 

26 

TEXAS LOUISIANA D 

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LATEX Cruise Track 

aaa :d '=i s _ _ H 10CGY9409 

1 - 14 November, 1994 

-97 -96 -95 -94 -93 -92 -91 -90 -89 

Figure 3.4 .3 . CTD stations and cruise track, LATEX H10. 
46 

Table 3.4 .3 . Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H 10. 

Station Date Time (UTC) Latitude N Longitude W Depth Niskins 

1 02NOV94 1402 27049.66' 94010.82' 183 12 

2 02NOV94 1541 27049.27' 94000.02' 200 12 

3 02NOV94 1733 27048.30' 93046.25' 190 12 

4 02NOV94 1919 27049.01' 93032.56' 200 12 

5 02NOV94 2059 27049 .86' 93019.14' 151 12 

6 02NOV94 2239 27050 .07' 93005.28' 173 12 

7 03NOV94 0034 27052 .49' 92051 .38' 221 12 

8 03NOV94 0222 27055 .13' 92037.48' 188 12 

9 03NOV94 0408 27055 .14' 92°23.41' 89 9 

10 03NOV94 0545 27055 .12' 92009 .95' 144 12 

11 03NOV94 0744 27055 .32' 91058.13' 141 12 

12 03NOV94 0927 27054 .77' 91045.87' 171 12 

13 03NOV94 1119 27056 .61' 91°32 .71' 225 12 

14 03NOV94 1312 27058 .15' 91019 .50' 267 12 

15 03NOV94 1510 28000.38' 91005 .85' 136 12 

16 03NOV94 1715 28001 .38' 90052 .40' 185 12 

17 03NOV94 1905 28002 .72' 90038 .59' 167 12 

18 03NOV94 2204 27039 .74' 90030 .01' 922 12 

19 03NOV94 2338 27°45 .71' 90030.00' 820 12 

20 04NOV94 0208 27051 .69' 90029 .99' 643 12 

21 04NOV94 0410 27057 .95' 90030.13' 436 12 

22 04NOV94 0528 28004.64' 90030.22' 149 12 

23 04NOV94 0629 28010.48' 90030.30' 94 11 

24 04NOV94 0732 28°16.81' 90029 .99' 62 9 

25 04NOV94 0857 28020.99' 90029 .97' 50 7 

26 04NOV94 0958 28025 .44' 90029.97' 42 7 

27 04NOV94 1055 28031 .64' 90030.20' 35 6 

28 04NOV94 1157 28037 .97' 90030.33' 20 5 

29 04NOV94 1250 28043 .95' 90030.37' 17 5 

30 04NOV94 1344 28049.99' 90030.60' 18 5 

31 04NOV94 1425 28053 .99' 90°30.61' 15 4 

32 04NOV94 1512 28058.10' 90030.60' 11 4 

33 04NOV94 2350 29010.87' 91059.98' 6 3 

34 05NOV94 0043 29006.62' 92000.06' 12 5 

35 05NOV94 0204 29002.28' 92000.08' 18 5 

36 05NOV94 0305 28056.22' 91059.97' 22 5 

37 05NOV94 0502 28050.24' 92°00.01' 26 6 

38 05NOV94 0559 28°44.71' 92000.08' 31 6 

39 05NOV94 0708 28037.74' 91059.90' 39 6 

40 05NOV94 0759 28033.02' 91059.85' 45 6 

41 05NOV94 0859 28026.79' 91059.84' 56 7 

42 05NOV94 1011 28021 .14' 91059.82' 60 7 

43 05NOV94 1135 28014.69' 91059.87' 69 7 

44 05NOV94 1307 28008 .95' 91059.93' 82 11 

45 05NOV94 1440 28002 .69' 91059.93' 104 12 

46 05NOV94 1608 27056 .80' 92000.08' 107 11 

47 05NOV94 1736 27050.68' 91059.99' 201 12 

48 05NOV94 1910 27044 .92' 91059.86' 491 12 

49 05NOV94 2116 27038 .97' 91059 .97' 865 12 

50 05NOV94 2309 27032 .94' 91059 .96' 736 12 

51 06NOV94 0548 27027 .40' 92059 .95' 944 12 

52 06NOV94 0738 27033 .40' 92059 .95' 653 12 
47 

Table 3 .4 .3 . Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H10 (continued) . 

Station Date Time (UTC) Latitude N Longitude W Depth Niskins 

53 06NOV94 0908 27039.41' 92059.92' 314 12 

54 06NOV94 1034 27045.26' 93000.17' 206 12 

55 06NOV94 1154 27052.84' 93000.12' 193 11 

56 06NOV94 1327 28001 .81' 92059.86' 100 10 

57 06NOV94 1457 28010.85' 92059.92' 71 10 

58 06NOV94 1609 28018 .48' 92059.88' 51 8 

59 06NOV94 1712 28025 .38' 92059.95' 48 8 

60 06NOV94 1827 28031 .87' 92059.99' 43 7 

61 06NOV94 1924 28038 .41' 92059 .95' 33 7 

62 06NOV94 2016 28044 .91' 92059 .94' 29 6 

63 06NOV94 2110 28051 .43' 92059 .97' 25 5 

64 06NOV94 2200 28057 .81' 93000.00' 23 5 

65 06NOV94 2249 29004.00' 92059 .97' 22 5 

66 06NOV94 2338 29010.04' 93000.06' 19 5 

67 06NOV94 0029 29015 .87' 93000.15' 18 5 

68 07NOV94 0122 29022.00' 92059 .96' 14 4 

69 07NOV94 0212 29027 .93' 92059 .96' 13 5 

70 07NOV94 0305 29034.03' 93000.07' 11 3 

71 07NOV94 0848 29032.04' 94000.17' 11 4 

72 07NOV94 0950 29026.63' 94000.14' 11 4 

73 07NOV94 1035 29°21 .61' 94000.12' 11 4 

74 07NOV94 1125 29°16.21' 94000.09' 13 4 

75 07NOV94 1218 29009.99' 94000.08' 16 5 

76 07NOV94 1312 29003.78' 94000.13' 19 5 

77 07NOV94 1401 28057.93' 94000.15' 17 5 

78 07NOV94 1506 28051 .90' 93059.97' 24 6 

79 07NOV94 1557 28046.02' 94°00.10' 24 6 

80 07NOV94 1652 28039 .65' 93059.94' 29 6 

81 07NOV94 1751 28°33 .81' 93059.94' 37 7 

82 07NOV94 1854 28027 .94' 94000.00' 42 7 

83 07NOV94 1947 28021 .94' 94000.00' 51 7 

84 07NOV94 2051 28016 .01' 94001 .30' 57 8 

85 07NOV94 2201 28008 .95' 94003.77' 64 8 

86 07NOV94 2246 28004 .66' 94005 .52' 69 8 

87 07NOV94 2339 27059 .54' 94007 .49' 81 9 

88 08NOV94 0036 27054.12' 94009.27' 97 10 

89 08NOV94 0139 27048 .00' 94011 .40' 271 11 

90 08NOV94 0235 27044.27' 94°12.21' 551 12 

91 08NOV94 0347 27039.62' 94013 .48' 443 12 

92 08NOV94 0517 27033 .61' 94014.65' 667 12 

93 08NOV94 1147 27027.73' 94°16.21' 996 12 

94 08NOV94 1253 28015.59' 94032.42' 48 7 

95 08NOV94 1346 28°21 .00' 94033.59' 41 7 

96 08NOV94 1439 28026.40' 94035.15' 39 7 

97 08NOV94 1532 28031 .76' 94036.61' 34 7 

98 08NOV94 1623 28037.18' 94038.42' 30 6 

99 08NOV94 1713 28042 .58' 94039.90' 26 6 

100 08NOV94 1804 28048 .02' 94041 .45' 20 5 

101 08NOV94 1903 28053 .40' 94043.22' 18 5 

102 08NOV94 1955 28058 .79' 94044 .42' 16 4 

103 08NOV94 2046 29°04.51' 94046 .24' 17 4 

104 08NOV94 2141 29010.19' 94047 .99' 13 4 
48 

Table 3 .4 .3 . Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H10 (continued) . 

Station Date Time (UTC) Latitude N Longitude W Depth Niskins 

105 09NOV94 0300 28°42.21' 95°32.21' 14 4 

106 09NOV94 0347 28°37 .45' 95°29 .32' 18 4 

107 09NOV94 0434 28°32.38' 95°26.34' 25 5 

108 09NOV94 0527 28°27 .01' 95°23 .49' 30 6 

109 09NOV94 0632 28°21 .63' 95°20.87' 33 6 

110 09NOV94 0736 28°16.36' 95°17 .86' 38 7 

111 09NOV94 0837 28°10.51' 95°15 .01' 47 7 

112 09NOV94 0955 28°05 .02' 95°12.13' 55 7 

113 09NOV94 1058 27°59.65' 95°09.11' 78 9 

114 09NOV94 1203 27°54.10' 95°06.41' 108 11 

115 09NOV94 1311 27°48.55' 95°03 .59' 268 12 

116 09NOV94 1423 27°43 .02' 95°00.67' 497 12 

117 09NOV94 1543 27°37.69' 94°57 .60' 698 12 

118 09NOV94 1710 27°32.40' 94°54.82' 849 12 

119 09NOV94 2220 27°23.38' 95°37.34' 915 12 

120 09NOV94 0007 27°27.57' 95°42.12' 715 12 

121 09NOV94 0143 27°31 .50' 95°47.13' 523 12 

122 IONOV94 0311 27°36.11' 95°52.68' 193 12 

123 IONOV94 0421 27°41 .09' 95°58.20' 104 10 

124 IONOV94 0525 27°45.28' 96°03.33' 79 7 

125 IONOV94 0701 27°48.58' 96°07.85' 68 7 

126 1 ONOV94 0834 27°53.96' 96°13.53' 50 6 

127 1 ONOV94 1026 27°58.21' 96°18.93' 36 6 

128 1 ONOV94 1139 28°02.39' 96°24.07' 27 5 

129 IONOV94 1302 28°07.80' 96°30.02' 19 5 

130 IONOV94 1408 28°12.62' 96°36.05' 10 4 

131 IONOV94 2037 27°15.43' 97°16.09' 17 4 

132 1 ONOV94 2132 27°14.40' 97°09.61' 25 5 

133 l ONOV94 2226 27013.56' 97°03.14' 32 6 

134 1 ONOV94 2326 27°12 .71' 96°56 .24' 42 7 

135 11NOV94 0024 27°11 .93' 96°49 .59' 57 9 

136 11NOV94 0136 27°11 .04' 96°42.91' 72 8 

137 11NOV94 0242 27°10 .17' 96°36 .37' 89 10 

138 11NOV94 0347 27°09 .09' 96°29 .79' 113 11 

139 11NOV94 0504 27°08 .09' 96°22 .81' 184 12 

140 11 NOV94 0612 27°06 .87' 96016 .95' 314 12 

141 11NOV94 0715 27°05 .99' 96°12 .58' 446 12 

142 11NOV94 0837 27°05 .27' 96°05 .25' 618 12 

143 11NOV94 0956 27°04.31' 95°58 .91' 730 12 

144 11NOV94 1658 26°00.95' 95°58 .31' 1026 12 

145 11NOV94 1958 26°00.95' 96°05 .16' 828 12 

146 11NOV94 2136 26°00.61' 96°11 .56' 654 12 

147 11 NOV94 2306 26°00.79' 96018.67' 207 12 

148 12NOV94 0032 26°00.73' 96°2528' 84 9 

149 12NOV94 0129 26°00.98' 96°31 .86' 59 8 

150 12NOV94 0225 26°00.96' 96°38.62' 49 7 

151 12NOV94 0315 26°00.97' 96°44.98' 45 6 

152 12NOV94 0407 26°00.97' 96°51 .46' 37 6 

153 12NOV94 0501 26°01 .51' 96°58.14' 29 6 

154 12NOV94 0559 26°01 .37' 97°04.58' 19 4 

155 12NOV94 1227 26°08.61' 96°19.96' 229 12 

156 12NOV94 1406 26° I 9.81' 96017.84' 251 12 
49 

Table 3 .4 .3 . Station times and positions for LATEX A cruise H10 (continued) . 

Station Date Time (UTC) Latitude N Longitude W Depth Niskins 

157 12NOV94 1548 26031 .82' 96019.95' 288 12 

158 12NOV94 1734 26043.78' 96026.26' 205 12 

159 12NOV94 1911 26°55.81' 96026.25' 208 12 

160 12NOV94 2051 27006 .32' 96020.74' 227 12 

161 12NOV94 2228 27016.79' 96015.20' 205 12 

162 13NOV94 0044 27025 .85' 96006.30' 202 12 

163 13NOV94 0237 27032.41' 95054.47' 267 12 

164 13NOV94 0435 27039 .04' 95042.70' 247 12 

165 13NOV94 0624 27042 .49' 95030.14' 303 12 

166 13NOV94 0816 27045 .69' 95017.22' 266 12 

167 13NOV94 1010 27047 .92' 95002.91' 314 12 

168 13NOV94 1236 27050.16' 94048.58' 233 12 

169 13NOV94 1443 27050.13' 94035.33' 271 12 

170 13NOV94 1635 27050.04' 94021 .67' 170 12 

3.4 .2 Instrumentation, Calibration and Sampling Procedures 

Instrumentation and sampling procedures for the hydrographic surveys are described in 

section 2.4 .2 .1 of Jochens and Nowlin (1994b) and in section 3.4.2 of Jochens and 

Nowlin (1995) . Minor variations from the procedures set out in that reference occurred 

due to time constraints and the actual instruments used. 

Instrumentation available for the year three cruises is shown in Table 3 .4 .4 . At each 

station location, continuous profiles with depth were taken of temperature, conductivity, 

dissolved oxygen, transmissometry, fluorescence, optical backscatter, and downwelling 

irradiance. Routine meteorological data were collected every six hours during all cruises 

and were recorded on National Weather Service forms for later transmittal to NWS. The 

SEAS III system that was used for transmitting these data from the ship in years one and 

two was removed from the vessels by NWS prior to the year three cruises. Secchi disk 

depth readings were taken at every daylight station. 

In field years one and two, the D&A Instruments optical backscatter sensor (model OBS3) did not provide the sensitivity needed to measure turbidity except in the murky waters 

near shore. Transmissomtery measurements provided turbidity information. In 1993 

SeaTech, Inc. marketed an instrument with greater sensitivity than the D&A Instruments 

unit used on cruises HO1-H07. A SeaTech sensor was provided to LATEX at no cost to 

the program by Dr. Wilford Gardner of TAMU for cruises H08-H10. D&A Instruments 

sensors were available for back up, but were not needed. Suspended particulate material 

determinations were used to calibrate the SeaTech backscatter sensor. 

3.4 .3 Summary of HvdroQraphic Data Collection 

Table 3 .4 .5 summarizes the data collected and the scientific participation on cruises H08, 

H09, and H 10. In addition, visiting researchers on each cruise collected data for use in 

their individual research projects . Table 3 .4 .6 summarizes these complementary 

programs. 
50 

Table 3 .4 .4 . Hydrographic equipment available on each hydrography cruise . 

Instrument Type Quantity 

CTD System + oxygen Sea-Bird SBE-91 1p1us 2 

Rosette General Oceanics 12 place 2 

Rosette frame TAMU fabrication 2 

Niskin Bottles GO Level Action, 10 liters 12 

Niskin Bottles GO Standard, 10-12 liter 12 

Transmissometer SeaTech 2000 m 2 

Fluorometer SeaTech 3000 m 1 

Fluorometer Chelsea Instruments 1 

Backscatter Sensor D&A Instruments OBS-3 2 

Backscatter Sensor SeaTech, Inc . 1 

Altimeter Datasonics PSA-900 2 

PAR Sensor Biospherical QSP-200L 2 

Secchi Disk TAMU fabrication 2 

Table 3 .4 .5 . Summary of data collected and scientific participation in the LATEX A 

standard grid hydrography surveys in the third field year. 

Description 

H08 

May 1994 

H09 

Aug. 1994 

H 10 

Nov. 1994 

Cruise Duration (days) 15 12 13 

Cruise Track (km) 3393 3393 3393 

Total Hydro Stations 170 171 170 

CTD Stations 170 171 170 

Nutrient Stations 170 171 170 

Oxygen Stations 153 154 170 

Salinity Stations 87 88 104 

Pigment Stations 154 150 154 

Particulate Stations 118 119 119 

Secchi Disk Stations 85 103 68 

Weather Obs 56 40 44 

Nutrient Samples 1465 1482 1473 

Salinity Samples 728 739 940 

Oxygen Samples 1267 1297 1473 

Pigment Samples 1266 1235 1279 

Particulate Samples 235 238 239 

Total Scientific Party 20 17 19 

LATEX Scientists 15 15 17 

Guest Investigators 5 2 2 

Graduate Students 6 4 5 

Complementary Studies 7 4 5 
51 

Table 3 .4 .6 . Complementary programs on LATEX A hydrography surveys 

in the third field year. 

H08 H09 H 10 

Description May 1994 Aug. 1994 Nov. 1994 

Guest Investigators 5 2 2 

Phytoplankton Stations 32 31 31 

Zooplankton Stations 36 - 37 

Isotope Stations 52 59 59 

Productivity Stations 34 26 31 

Drifter Launches 3 - 3 

Bottom Samples 138 - - 

3 .5 Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Measurements 

Underway ADCP surveys were made on all three hydrographic surveys during the third 

field year. Survey tracks are along the lines of stations shown in Figures 3 .4.1, 3.4.2, and 

3 .4.3 . Table 3 .5 .1 shows the dates and quantities of data collection and the ADCP 

configurations for the three cruises . There were no changes in instrumentation, 

calibration, or sampling procedures from those discussed in section 3 .5 of Jochens and 

Nowlin (1995) . 

Table 3.5 .1 . ADCP data collection and configurations . 

H08 H09 H 10 

Data start - stop 

Length of survey (km) 

Quantity of data collected 

Averaging interval (min) 

Depth cell length (m) 

Number of depth cells 

Time between pings (sec) 

Transmit pulse length (m) 

Blank after transmit (m) 

Navigation type* 

Data recorded 

04/29 - 05/05/94 

3393 

300 Mbytes 

5 

4 

100 

0.67 

4 

4 

DGPS+GERGNAV 

Raw data 

Averaged data 

Navigation 

07/27 - 08/07/94 

3393 

300 Mbytes 

5 

4 

100 

0.67 

4 

4 

DGPS+GERGNAV 

Raw data 

Averaged data 

Navigation 

11/02 - 11/14/94 

3393 

300 Mbytes 

5 

4 

100 

0.67 

4 

4 

DGPS+GERGNAV 

Raw data 

Averaged data 

Navigation 

* DGPS = differential global positioning system; GERGNAV is navigation software developed by Dr. 

Norman L. Guinasso, Jr., for the Geochemical and Environmental Research Group at TAMU. During 

ADCP operation, data from both systems were recorded for precise tracking . 
52 

3 .6 Collateral Data 

Collateral data has been collected from other programs engaged in physical oceanography 

on the Texas-Louisiana shelf during the LATEX field years and from historical sources . 

These data will be used in analyses of the LATEX A data set and in the final synthesis 

report . Following the collection plan described in Nowlin et al . (1991), we summarize 

here progress in assembling the bibliography of papers and reports dealing with the 

physical oceanography of the Gulf of Mexico, shelf physical oceanographic data 

collected by non-LATEX programs, and relevant historical data from the Gulf of Mexico. 

3 .6 .1 Bibliography 

The LATEX Gulf of Mexico bibliography continues to be maintained and updated . It 

presently contains 733 entries related to the physical and hydrographic characteristics of 

the Gulf. Notice of the bibliography's availability was posted to the GULF.MEX bulletin 

board on Omnet until that service was discontinued in December 1994 . The bibliography 

was mentioned in every issue of the LATEX Fortnightly until publication ended in 

December 1994. 

Nine copies of the LATEX bibliography were distributed during the period of this report. 

Two individuals requested and received diskette versions . In addition, SAIC requested a 

digital copy for inclusion of selected citations in an annotated bibliography they are 

developing for the National Biological Service . This will compose part of a Department 

of the Interior, NBS-funded study entitled "Northeastern Gulf of Mexico Coastal and 

Marine Ecosystem Program: Data Search and Synthesis" (NBS contract number 1445-

CT0009-95-002) . 

3 .6 .2 Concurrent Data Collection 

LATEX A acquired relevant data sets from other programs operating in the Gulf and 

from various commercial and government sources . Many of the data sets were obtained 

via data sharing agreements that limit further distribution . Major data sets obtained 

during the third field year are listed in Table 3.6 . l . 

3 .6 .3 Historical Data Collection 

LATEX A acquired additional historical data for the Gulf of Mexico for the purpose of 

assisting in the intepretation of LATEX data sets . Sets obtained since the last report 

(Jochens and Nowlin 1995) are included in Table 3.6 .1 . 
53 

Table 3 .6 .1 . Collateral and historical data assembled. 

Entity Description of Data Obtained 

LATEX B Preliminary data from cruises P941 and P942 

LSU AVHRR images posted to GULF.MEX April 1993 through March 1994 

LATEX C XBT and drifter data posted to GiJLF.MEX April through December 1994 

SAIC 

GulfCet Hydrosraphic data from selected cruises 

TAMUG 

SOOP Hydrographic data from Gyre cruises 

TAMU TAMU Oceanography Tech. Rpt. 94-2-T 

TAMU Oceanography Tech . Rpt. 94-3-T 

NOAA-NCDC Surface marine data from the 1970s to present 

SAMSON data from 1990-1995 

NOAA-NDBC 3rd quarter 1993 meteorological data from buoys 42019 and 42020 

4th quarter 1993 meteorological data from buoys 42019 and 42020 

1 st & 2nd quarter 1994 meteorological data from buoys 42019 and 42020 

NOAA-NODC Meteorology, oceanography, and wave spectra from all Gulf of Mexico buoys 

(August 1992 - April 1994) 

NOAA-NOS Tide gauge data for the Gulf of Mexico, 1993-1994 

NOAA-NWS-NMC Historical wind data for the Gulf of Mexico 

Meteorological data from coastal airport stations in Texas and Louisiana 

Army Corps of Engineers Daily discharge of the Atchafalaya River at Simmesport, LA, and the 

Mississippi River at Tarbert Landing, MS, for the years 1992 and 1994 

Daily computed discharges for theAtchafalaya & Mississippi Rivers for 1994 

Nutrient data for the Mississippi River 

Sediment loads for the Mississippie, Atchafalaya Rivers and the Old River 

for 1992-1993 

USGS Texas river discharge data for 1994 

FNOC Precipitation index data for the GOES satellite 

Shell Offshore, Inc . Current meter data from job 8507 in Garden Banks (22 Sep - 12 Nov 1994) 
55 

4 DATA QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CONTROL 

4 .1 Introduction 

This section discusses data processing efforts and quality assurance/quality control 

(QA/QC) methods for each data type and summarizes the results. Data processing was 

conducted in accordance with procedures set out in section 9 of Nowlin et al . (1991), 

section 3 of Jochens and Nowlin (1994b), and section 4 of Jochens and Nowin (1995) . 

Data QA/QC and preliminary analyses were performed by the LATEX A Data Office . In 

general, data sets are grouped by the cruise during which the data are recovered, then 

processed into engineering units and stored in hierarchical directories on hard disks . 

Preliminary data products are examined and obvious errors corrected . The preliminary 

products are then given to other investigators for further examination. After all 

corrections are made, the data are moved to distribution directories where investigators 

can access them . 

4.2 Moored Measurements 

The QA/QC processing procedures for the current meter, wave gauge, and meteorological 

data sets were discussed in sections 3.2 .1, 3 .2.2, and 3.2.4, respectively, of Jochens and 

Nowlin (1994b) and in section 4 .2 of Jochens and Nowlin (1995). Complete 

examinations of moored instrument data and procedures can be found in Nowlin et al . 

(1996) for current meters, DiMarco et al. (1995a and b) for wave gauges, and Wang et al . 

(1996) for meteorological buoys. 

4 .3 Drifting Buoy Measurements 

The methodology for data analysis and QA/QC for the drifting buoys is provided in 

Nowlin et al . (1991), in section 2.3 of Jochens and Nowlin (1994b), and in section 4.3 of 

Jochens and Nowlin (1995) . A summary of times of operation is given in Table 3 .3 .1 of 

this report . Drifter trajectories were posted to the GULF.MEX electronic bulletin board 

weekly until the OMNET service ceased operations in December 1994 . A complete 

examination of drifter data and procedures can be found in Howard (1996) . 

4.4 Hvdrographic Measurements 

Hydrographic data were processed following methodologies described in section 3 .4 of 

Jochens and Nowlin (1994b) and section 4 .4 of Jochens and Nowlin (1995) . A complete 

examination of hydrographic data and procedures can be found in Jochens et al . (1996) . 

4.5 Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Measurements 

QA/QC procedures for the ADCP data sets are discussed in section 3 .5 of Jochens and 

Nowlin (1994b) and in section 4.5 of Jochens and Nowlin (1995) . A complete 

examination of ADCP data and procedures can be found in Bender et al . (1996) . 

A departure from previous ADCP data handling was in the treatment of profiles collected 

on the continental slope . A comparison was made of the estimates of ship velocity 

obtained from bottom tracking (BT) and from Differential GPS (DGPS). They agreed 

very well over the continental shelf to depths of 200 m, but over the continental slope the 
56 

DGPS estimates were substantially better than those obtained from BT . For the H08, 

H09 and H 10 ADCP data sets, BT was used inshore of the 100-m isobath, and DGPS was 

used seaward of it . Although the cruise track followed the 200-m isobath, the 100-m 

isobath was selected because the ship could not follow the 200-m line exactly . Had the 

200-m isobath been selected, the reference would have oscillated between BT and DGPS 
57 

5 DATA MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION TRANSFER 

5 .1 Introduction 

This section is an overview of data archiving and sharing and of information transfer 

activities of LATEX A, including summaries of data submitted to the National 

Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) and given to others . Information transfer activities 

include postings to the GULF.MEX electronic bulletin board, public notices, organization 

of a LATEX meeting, and publication of the bi-weekly newsletter. 

5 .2 Data Archiving 

The NODC project identification code for LATEX A data is 0212. Data collected from 

current meter moorings (Table 3 .2 .3), wave gauges (Table 3 .2 .4), meteorological buoys 

(Table 3 .2 .5) on mooring cruises M15 - M18 have been submitted to NODC. CTD, 

ADCP, and other continuous profile data and bottle nutrients, oxygen, and salinity data 

collected on hydrographic surveys H08 - H 10 have been submitted to NODC. Drifting 

buoy data were posted to GULF.MEX . Analyses of filters for pigments and total 

suspended particulates from cruises H08 through H10 have been sent to NODC. All data 

submitted to NODC are classed as preliminary. Corrections will continue to be made to 

all the data sets prior to their final submission to NODC. 

5.3 Data Sharing 

Community interest in LATEX A data remained strong in the third field year, and 

numerous requests for data were filled . Individuals requesting data were asked to 

document their intended use and to sign a data sharing agreement . This agreement was 

designed to protect the interests of LATEX A scientists and their work with these data. 

LATEX A field data were only released after having been sent to NODC. Table 5.3 .1 

summarizes data sharing activity . 

Table 5 .3 .1 . LATEX A data shared with others . 

Requestor Data Description Date Sent 

Robin Stagg 

Consultant 

John Hubertz 

COE-WES 

Tom Meyers 

S AIC 

Douglas Evans 

Evans-Hamilton Inc. 

Alan Hart 

Continental Shelf Assoc. 

Peter Hamilton 

SAIC 

Lee Estep 

ACOE 

Currents from moorings 15, 16, and 20 for 

Aug 1992 

Mooring 23 MiniSpec data for Jul - Sep 

1993 

Meteorological data from LATEX and 

NDBC stations for Mar - Jul 1993 

Currents, CTD, and meteorological data 

from selected stations for Jul - Aug 1992 

Current meter data from mooring 9 top for 

Apr 1992 - Sep 1993 

Current meter data from moorings 4-13, 

45, and 47-49 for the first field year 

Secchi data for HO 1 - H07 

April 1994 

April 1994 

May 1994 

June 1994 

August 1994 

September 1994 

September 1994 
58 

Table 5 .3 . l . LATEX A data shared with others (continued) . 

Requestor Data Description Date Sent 

M.P. Krishna Raj Currents, meteorological, MiniSpec data September 1994 

Old Dominion Univ. for Aug 92 and Mar 93 

David Brock Salinity and nutrients from H03 November 1994 

Texas Water Devel. Bd 

Guiletta Fargion Drifter data from buoys 2447, 2449, 6938, November 1994 

TAMUG - GulfCet and 7837 

Melissa Seymour Selected LATEX and NDBC meteorolog- November 1994 

LSU ical data for 1992-1993 

Victor Bierman CTD and Niskin bottle data from H02 November 1994 

NECOP 

Peter Santschi CTD and Niskin bottle data from selected January 1995 

TAMUG stations during H08. 

Dong-Ping Wang All currents and meteorological data for February 1995 

SUNY - Stony Brook Apr - Jul 1992 

Walter Johnson All NDBC data Oct 1993 - Nov 1994 February 1995 

MMS 

Andrew MacNaughton T, S, and DO from selected stations from April 1995 

LSU HO1 - H03 

H. James Herring All current, hydrography, and meteorology April 1995 

Dynalysis of Princeton data through second field year 

Thomas Berger All LATEX-A drifter data April 1995 

S AIC 

Khaled Al-Abdulkader Selected CTD parameters from HOS - H09 May 1995 

TAMU 

Victor Bierman CTD, Niskin, and Secchi data from HOS May 1995 

NECOP and H06 

Greg Stone Selected wave data from mooring 16 July 1995 

TAMU 

Victor Vidal Historic hydrographic and oxygen data July 1995 

University of Mexico from Hidalgo cruises 

Cortis Cooper Current meter data for all deployments for August 1995 

Chevron mooring 12 and 13 

Var Ransibrahmanakul Density/depth data for H07-H09 October 1995 

LSU 

H. James Herring Gulf tide data October 1995 

Dynalysis of Princeton 

Alexis Lugo-Fernandez Current roses November 1995 

MMS 

Scott Dinnel Current meter data from 10 moorings November 1995 

UTMSI 

Nan Walker Current meter data for 7 moorings for December 1995 

LSU October - December 1994 

Scott Stewart Surface temperature, salinity, bottle data December 1995 

UTMSI from H08-H10 
59 

5.4 Information Sharin g 

5 .4 .1 GULF.MEX Bulletin Board 

LATEX A maintained the GULF.MEX bulletin board on ScienceNet of Omnet, a 

commercial electronic mail service . LATEX A posted to GULF .MEX all cruise plans 

and reports, meeting announcements, weekly drifter trajectories, weekly meteorological 

summaries, the LATEX calendar, and other information relevant to the project until 

Omnet ceased operation on 31 December 1995 . 

5 .4 .2 Public Notices 

Throughout LATEX A field operations, substantial changes in the positions of moorings 

located away from offshore platforms were reported to the United States Coast Guard, the 

Defense Mapping Agency, and the U.S. Navy Submarine Command. On 22 December 

1994, forms were submitted to the Coast Guard to discontinue all the private aids to 

navigation deployed by LATEX A. On 2 January 1995, the Defense Mapping Agency 

and the Navy were notified of the removal of our equipment from the Gulf. 

5 .4 .3 LATEX Meetings 

In this report year, LATEX A organized one meeting on the oceanography of the TexasLouisiana continental shelf. The fourth general meeting (LATEX IV) was held at LSU in 

Baton Rouge, 21-23 February 1995 ; the Science Advisory Panel met on 23 February after 

participating in the general sessions. Presentations were made by program managers and 

key researchers of LATEX A, B, and C, the MMS-sponsored modeling efforts, and 

collateral programs to an audience of about 60 individuals, representing educational 

institutions, federal and state government, and industry Presentations focused on the 

coastal regime, the shelf and slope region, and modeling the LATEX Shelf. Table 5.4 .1 

gives the agenda for this meeting . 

Table 5.4 .1 . Agenda for the LATEX IV meeting, February 1995 . 

Description Speaker 

February 21, 1995 

Welcome, introductions, and opening remarks 

Session l: The Coastal Regime 

Characteristics of circulation in the coastal current during LATEX B 

cruise III, April 1993 

Circulation during the summer regime : data from LATEX B cruise IV 

& pre-SCULP drifters 

Circulation and hydrography in the vicinity of the Mississippi River delta 

Water mass census: Galveston plume 

Repeat section study with ADCP and towed CTD: observations from current meters 

Sedimentation and resuspension across the Louisiana central shelf 

Phytoplankton in the coastal current 

and with Nancy Rabalais : Consequences of the 1993 Mississippi River flood 

Numerical modeling study of the Gulf of Mexico 

SCULP Project 

W. Nowlin 

N. Pettigrew 

S . Murray 

L. Rouse 

C. Ebbesmeyer 

E. Weeks 

Y.Zhang 

Q. Dortch 

Q. Dortch 

S. Welch 

P. Niiler 
60 

Table 5 .4 .1 . Agenda for the LATEX IV meeting, February 1995 (continued) . 

Description Speaker 

Surface temperature fronts on the LATEX shelf: causes, variability, and longevity 

Biological presentation 

Drag coefficient over LATEX Shelf 

February 22, 1995 

Session ll: The Shelf and Slope Regime 

General shelf-scale circulation in the LATEX region 

Nutrient and particle distributions on the Texas-Louisiana Shelf during May 1993 

Bottom oxygen concentrations on the Texas-Louisiana Shelf 

Seasonal comparison of the subsurface chlorophyll maximum on the Louisiana shelf 

Phytoplankton distributions on the Louisiana shelf during May 1992 and 1993 

Spatial scales from hydrography 

Altimetry/buoy comparisons in the Gulf of Mexico: animation of the 

TOPEX/ERS-1 blended time series 

LATEX C hydrography and drifter data-September 1993 to December 1994 

Ship and satellite studies of the Loop Current and Eddy Yucatan, 1994 

Session III: Modeling the LATEX Shelf 

Eddy- and wind-forced circulation on the LATEX Shelf 

Modeling description 

Energetics on the LATEX Shelf: model vs . observation 

Temperature and salinity : model vs . observation 

Simulation of inner shelf response to the March 1993 storm 

Assimilation of satellite altimetric data into a circulation model of the Gulf of Mexico 

Closing remarks 

N. Walker 

R. Shaw 

S . A. Hsu 

W. Nowlin 

D. Wiesenburg 

D. DeFreitas 

C. Neuhard 

P. Bontempi 

Y. Li 

R. Leben 

P. Hamilton 

D. Biggs 

L. Oey 

R. Patchen 

S. Jin 

M. Inoue 

R. Reid 

J. Choi 

A. Lugo-Fernandez 

Februar~~ 23, 1995 

Workshop for informal examinations of LATEX B results and indications from LATEX A, B, and C of 

analyses and manuscripts under consideration. 

5.4 .4 The LATEX Fortnightly 

The LATEX Fortnightly News was sent to approximately 2500 addresses by bulk mail. 

Publication of the newsletter ceased with the end of the field program in December 1994. 

Table 5 .4.2 lists the issues published during the third field year. 
61 

Table 5 .4 .2 . Volume 3 LATEX Fortnightly News, 11 April - 15 December 1994. 

Volume 3: Date: Titles : 

Iss. 8 4/11/94 LATEX-A Spring Hydrography Cruise (story) 

LATEX 94H Cruise Track (figure) 

Winds from 28 March - 10 April 1994 (back map) 

Iss. 9 4/25/94 Ambitious LATEX-A Hydrographic Cruise Underway (story) 

LATEX Wave Interest Group Formed (story) 

Winds from 11 April - 24 April 1994 (back map) 

Iss. 10 5/9/94 Mississippi River Plume Cruise - LATEX-B (story) 

Phase 1 and 3 Salinity Fields at lm Depth (2 figures) 

Winds from 25 April - 8 May 1994 (back map) 

Iss. 11 5/23/94 Microzooplankton Grazing Across the Texas-Louisiana Shelf (story) 

LATEX Observations Support Investigation of Fish Kill (story) 

Winds and Drifters from 9 May - 22 May 1994 (back map) 

Iss. 12 6/6/94 Fourth GOO:vIEX Cruise Now Underway (story) 

Scientists to Meet to Discuss Gulf of Mexico Fish Kills (story) 

Locations of the GOOMEX Field Study (figure) 

Winds and Drifters from 23 May - 5 June 1994 (back map) 

Iss. 13 6/20/94 Joint Program Examines Oil Seeps in Green Canyon (story) 

Scientists Revise Estimate of Waves during Hurricane Andrew (story) 

Significant Wave Height - Hurricane Andrew (figure) 

Winds and Drifters from 6 June - 19 June 1994 (back map) 

Iss. 14 7/4/94 Wiesenbur~ Heading to University of Southern Mississippi (story) 

LSU Plans 6th Mississippi River Plume Hydrographic Survey (story) 

Winds and Drifters from 20 June - 3 July 1994 (back map) 

Iss. 15 7/18/94 LATEX-A Summer Hydrography Cruise (story) 

Sixteenth LATEX-A Mooring Cruise (story) 

LATEX 941 Cruise Track (figure) 

Winds and Drifters from 4 July - 17 July 1994 (back map) 

Iss. 16 8/1/94 NR-1 to Use Laser Line Scan System in Gulf (story) 

NOAA Report on 1993 Mississippi Flood (story) 

Winds and Drifters from 18 July - 31 July 1994 (back map) 

Iss. 17 8/15/94 SOOP Hydrography Surveys Continue (story) 

July 1994 XBT Section (figure) 

Winds from 1 August - 14 August 1994 (back map) 

Iss. 18 8/29/94 Ninth Standard Grid Hydrography Cruise Completed (story) 

LATEX 941 Station Locations (figure) 

Winds from 15 August - 28 August 1994 (back map) 

Iss. 19 9/12/94 TAMU SOOP: Ship of Opportunity Program (story) 

LATEX A to Conduct 17th Mooring Cruise (story) 

LATEX Wave Meter Comparison Study Presented (story) 

Winds from 29 August - 1 1 September 1994 (back map) 
62 

Table 5 .4 .2 . Volume 3 LATEX Fortnightly News, 11 April - 15 December 1994 (continued) . 

Volume 3: Date: Titles : 

Iss. 20 9/26/94 RN Powell to Survey New Loop Current Ring (story) 

Loop Current Infrared Satellite Image (figure) 

Winds from 12 September - 25 September 1994 (back map) 

Iss . 21 10/10/94 Fall Expedition Will Be Last LATEX-A Hydrography Cruise (story) 

Planned Station Locations for Cruise 94J (figure) 

Winds from 26 September - 9 October 1994 (back map) 

Iss . 22 10/24/94 LATEX A Field Program Ends (story) 

Fire & Rain, Oil & Water (story) 

LATEX Buoy Deployed Near Eddy Y (story) 

LATEX Calendar Final Update (story) 

Winds from 10 October - 23 October 1994 (back map) 

Iss . 23 12/15/94 LATEX-A Field Work Completed (story) 

Summary Calendar (story) 

Many Thanks to the FormightlY Staff (story) 

Gulf Bibliography (story) 

LATEX, GULFCET, SOOP/Tiger Fieldwork 1992-1994 (back table) 
63 

6 REFERENCES 

Bender, L.C. III, F.J . Kelly, and K. Leder. 1996. LATEX Shelf data report : ADCP, May 

1992 through November 1994. Texas A&M University, Dept. of Oceanography 

Tech. Rpt. College Station, TX. In preparation. 

DiMarco, S.F., F.J . Kelly, and N.L. Guinasso, Jr . 1995a. LATEX Shelf data report : 

MiniSpec directional wave gauges . Volume I: April 1992 through August 1993 . 

Texas A&M University, Dept. of Oceanography Tech. Rpt. No. 95-4-T. College 

Station, TX. 331pp . 

DiMarco, S.F., F.J . Kelly, and N.L. Guinasso, Jr . 1995b. LATEX Shelf data report : 

MiniSpec directional wave gaugues . Volume II : September 1993 through 

December 1994. Texas A&M University, Dept. of Oceanography Tech. Rpt. No. 

95-4-T. College Station, TX. 245pp. 

Howard, M.K. 1996. LATEX Shelf data report : Drifting buoys, April 1992 through 

December 1994. Texas A&M University, Dept. of Oceanography Tech . Rpt. 

College Station, TX. In preparation. 

Hsu, S.A . 1993 . The Gulf of Mexico-a breeding ground for winter storms . Mariners 

Weather Log. 37(2):4-11 . 

Jochens, A.E., and W.D. Nowlin, Jr., eds. 1994a. Texas-Louisiana Shelf Circulation and 

Transport Processes Study : Year l, Annual Report. Volume I: Executive 

Summary . OCS Study MMS 94-0030, U.S . Dept . of the Interior, Minerals 

Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA. 33 pp. 

Jochens, A.E., and W.D. Nowlin, Jr., eds. 1994b. Texas-Louisiana Shelf Circulation and 

Transport Processes Study: Year l, Annual Report. Volume II : Technical 

Summary . OCS Study MMS 94-0030, U.S . Dept . of the Interior, Minerals 

Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA. 207 pp. 

Jochens, A.E., and W.D . Nowlin, Jr ., eds . 1995 . Texas-Louisiana Shelf Circulation and 

Transport Processes Study: Year 2, annual report . OCS Study MMS 95-0028, U.S . 

Dept . of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 

New Orleans, LA. 172 pp. 

Jochens, A.E., D.A. Wiesenburg, L.E. Sahl, C.N. Lyons, and D.A. DeFreitas . 1996. 

1996. LATEX Shelf data report : Hydrographic surveys, May 1992 through 

November 1994 . Texas A&M University, Dept. of Oceanography Tech. Rpt. 

College Station, TX. In preparation. 

Kelly, F.J ., S.F. DiMarco, N.L. Guinasso, Jr ., R.C . Hamilton, and K.A. Kurrus . 1993 . 

Calibration and performance of the pressure and temperature sensors in the Coastal 

Leasing, Inc., MiniSpec directional wave gauge. Texas A&M University, Dept. of 

Oceanography Tech. Rpt. No. 93-7-T. College Station, TX. 63 pp . 
64 

Nowlin, W.D., Jr., A.E . Jochens, N.L . Guinasso, Jr., D.A. Wiesenburg, R.O. Reid, S .A. 

Hsu, and R.C . Hamilton . 1991 . Louisiana/Texas Shelf Physical Oceanography 

Program Task A (A Technical Proposal). Texas A&M University, Dept . of 

Oceanography Tech. Rpt. No. 93-6-T. College Station, TX. 196 pp. 

Nowlin, W.D., Jr ., S .F. DiMarco, M.K. Howard, L.L. Lee III, and S.B . Rutz. 1996 . 

LATEX Shelf data report : Current meters, April 1992 through December 1994. 

Texas A&M University, Dept. of Oceanography Tech. Rpt. College Station, TX . 

In preparation. 

Wang, W., Howard, M.K, W.D. Nowlin, Jr ., and R.O . Reid. 1996. LATEX Shelf data 

report : Meteorology, April 1992 through December 1994. Texas A&M University, 

Dept. of Oceanography Tech. Rpt. College Station, TX . In preparation. 
S~,ENT OFT,~ The Department of the Interior Mission QPQ ~' 

Z 

As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for 

~ most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering sound use 

of our land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, and biological diversity ; preserving the 

_ a9 

4 9 

environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places; and providing for the 

RCH 3 ~ enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral 

resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interests of all our people by 

encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care . The Department also has a major 

responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories 

under U .S . administration . 

The Minerals Management Service Mission 

As a bureau of the Department of the Interior, the Minerals Management Service's (MMS) primary 

-, 

~ 

responsibilities are to manage the mineral resources located on the Nation's Outer Continental Shelf 

. i ( OCS ), co ll ec t revenue f rom th e F e d era l OCS an d ons h ore F e d era l and I nd i an l ands, and distribute 

s ~ 

~ 

those revenues . 

c4~ ~°+~ ~~Ew~ ~r Moreover, in working to meet its responsibilities, the Offshore Minerals Management Program 

administers the OCS competitive leasing program and oversees the safe and environmentally sound 

exploration and production of our Nation's offshore natural gas, oil and other mineral resources. The 

MMS Royalty Management Program meets its responsibilities by ensuring the efficient, timely and 

accurate collection and disbursement of revenue from mineral leasing and production due to Indian 

tribes and allottees, States and the U .S . Treasury. 

The MMS strives to fulfill its responsibilities through the general guiding principles of: (1) being 

responsive to the public's concerns and interests by maintaining a dialogue with all potentially affected 

parties and (2) carrying out its programs with an emphasis on working to enhance the quality of life for 

all Americans by lending MMS assistance and expertise to economic development and environmental 

protection.