CTD observations off northern California during the Shelf Mixed Layer Experiment, SMILE, November 1988

Abstract

CTD observations on the R/V Wecoma cruise W8811 were made off the northern California coast November 13-24, 1988 as part of the .S.helf Mlxed Layer Experiment (SMILE). The survey consisted of repeated mappings of the central transect (C) through the SMILE moored array, and two synoptic sampling surveys-a large-scale grid of four cross-shelf transects extending to both sides ofPoint Arena and Point Reyes, and a small-scale grid of five cross-shelf transects located near the central SMILE mooring site. The small-scale hydrographic survey had a much higher spatial resolution of CTD stations than the large-scale survey. The primary objectives of the hydrographic measurement program were to observe and characterize the temperature, salinity, density, and light transmission fields and their temporal and spatial variability in the surface boundary layer along the continental shelf and slope near the SMILE moored array, and to acquire an estimate of the cross-shelf and along-shelf scales over which the mixed-layer depth varies. All of the cross-shelf transects extended beyond the shelf break and the maximum sampling depth at each station was near-bottom or 600 m. This report presents a summary in graphic and tabular form of the hydrographic observations made during cruise W8811 on the RN Wecoma.