Particle Size

Vertical profiles of particle size were made with a Sequoia Scientific LISST 100 B. The instrument measures the volume concentration of suspended particles in 32 size classes as well as depth, temperature, and beam attenuation. The total volume concentration and the mean and standard deviation of the particle size distribution were calculated from the 32 measurements. Diameters for the 32 size classes (in micrometers) are given in the files.

The instrument was held near the surface prior to lowering it to the bottom. Both the downcasts and upcasts are included in the files. Note that in some cases the instrument turned off prematurely, so that there is little or no usable data.

The format for the data is:

1. Oplog Number
2. Date
3. Day of Year
4. Time (edt)
5. Ship
6. Station ID
7. Latitude
8. Longitude
9. Depth in meters
10. Temperature in °C
11. Beam attenuation coefficient in 1/m
12. Average particle diameter in micrometers
13. Standard deviation of the particle diameter in micrometers
14. Total volume concentration in microliters/liter.
15. (fields 15-46) Volume concentration in microliters/liter for each of the 32 size classes.

For additional information, contact

Nathan Hawley
NOAA-GLERL, 2205 Commonwealth Blvd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105-2945
(734)741-2273