Physical Measurements of Water Properties Across the Mouth of the Gulf of California during April 2013 (PESCAR24)

Abstract

Hydrographic data were collected in Pescadero Basin (at the entrance to the Gulf of California) and subsequently along the West Coast of Baja California and Southern and Central California on R/V Point Sur from 19 April to 2 May 2013. Objectives of data collection were to measure both the exchange of waters between the Pacific Ocean and Gulf if California and the variation of water properties in the California Undercurrent as it transported water along the 1000 m isobaths to the north. The purpose of this report is to provide summary listings of cruise data, a description of data collection and processing procedures, and a brief report of oceanographic conditions. Data collection included profiles of conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nutrients and ocean currents at fixed stations as well as underway observations of sea surface and atmospheric properties and ocean currents. In contrast to previous observations of cyclonic flow, a well-defined pattern of anticyclonic flow of upper waters was observed in Pescadero Basin with flow into the Gulf of California and flow into the pacific along Sinaloa.