Abstract:
This data type contains data on ambient concentrations of toxic
substances and other pollutants in the marine environment. The data
derive from laboratory analyses of samples of water, sediment or marine
organisms. Samples may have been collected near marine discharge sites
or during ocean monitoring surveys of large areas. Field observations of
tar deposits on beaches may also be reported.
... Survey information includes platform type, start and end dates, and
investigator and institution. If data are collected near a discharge
site, discharge location, depth, distance to shore, average volume,and
other characteristics are reported. Position, date, time and
environmental conditions are reported for each sample station.
Environmental data may include meteorological and sea surface
conditions, tide stage and height, depth of the thermocline or mixed
layer, surface temperature and salinity, and wave height and periods.
Sample characteristics, collection methods, and laboratory techniques
are reported for each sample collected and analyzed. The data record
comprises concentration values (or a code to indicate trace amounts) for
each chemical substance analyzed. Chemical substances are identified by
codes based on the registry numbers assigned by the Chemical Abstracts
Service (CAS) of the American Chemical Society. Marine organisms from
which samples have been taken are identified using the 12-digit NODC
Taxonomic Code. A text record is available for optional comments. Data
are sparse prior to the mid-1970''''s.
NOAAServer Codes: [OL 75 5 -65 -180] ; nodateline obtain 
