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Monterey Bay Profiles from CTD, Nephelometer, a Transmissometer and a Structured Light Source with High Definition Video Detection were used on board the RO Ventana during September 2001 and March 2002 for Study of Methane Cycling in Mid-Water Suspended Particle Layers (NCEI Accession 0000902)

Published by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Metadata Last Checked: January 26, 2026 | Last Modified: 2026-01-18T00:00:00.000+00:00
CTD data from remotely operated vehicle working in Monterey Bay, California. The remotely operated vehicle Ventana was used to measure the vertical distribution and the optical characteristics of suspended layers of fine particles along the axis of Monterey Canyon in Monterey Bay, California. A combination of a nephelometer, a transmissometer and a structured light source with high definition video detection was used for these measurements. The particles layers ranged from broad bands extending over several hundred meters of depth to thin, concentrated layers <20 m thick. Ventana was also used to collect water samples, without the physical disruptions inherent in CTD/rosette-based sampling, within and around the particle layers. Samples were collected from depths of 400 - 1450 m and are being analyzed for methane, methane carbon stable isotopes, alkalinity, nutrients, thorium isotopes, and pH. In addition, video of the structured light transects were analyzed to determine particle size distribution and collected particles were analyzed for mineral and chemical composition. Finally, genomic characterization of the microbial communities on the collected particles will be conducted.

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