Metadata Report for BODC Series Reference Number 880781

Metadata Summary

Data Description
Data Category CTD or STD cast
Instrument Type
NameCategories
Sea-Bird SBE 43 Dissolved Oxygen Sensor  dissolved gas sensors
Sea-Bird SBE 911plus CTD  CTD; water temperature sensor; salinity sensor
WETLabs C-Star transmissometer  transmissometers
WETLabs ECO FL fluorometer  fluorometers
Instrument Mounting research vessel
Originating Country United Kingdom
Originator Mr George Slesser
Originating Organization Fisheries Research Services Aberdeen Marine Laboratory (now Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
Processing Status banked
Project(s) -
 

Data Identifiers

Originator's Identifier SC05/08/305
BODC Series Reference 880781
 

Time Co-ordinates(UT)
Start Time (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm) 2008-05-21 17:32
End Time (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm) -
Nominal Cycle Interval 1.0 decibars
 

Spatial Co-ordinates

Latitude 57.52967 N ( 57° 31.8' N )
Longitude 12.63433 W ( 12° 38.1' W )
Positional Uncertainty 0.05 to 0.1 n.miles
Minimum Sensor Depth 4.0 m
Maximum Sensor Depth 1637.0 m
Minimum Sensor Height 2.0 m
Maximum Sensor Height 1635.0 m
Sea Floor Depth 1639.0 m
Sensor Distribution Variable common depth - All sensors are grouped effectively at the same depth, but this depth varies significantly during the series
Sensor Depth Datum Instantaneous - Depth measured below water line or instantaneous water body surface
Sea Floor Depth Datum Instantaneous - Depth measured below water line or instantaneous water body surface
 

Parameters
BODC CODE Rank Units Title
ACYCAA01 1 Dimensionless Sequence number
ATTNMR01 1 per metre Attenuance (red light wavelength) per unit length of the water body by 20 or 25cm path length transmissometer
CNCLCCI1 1 Siemens per metre Electrical conductivity of the water body by in-situ conductivity cell and calibration against independent measurements
CPHLPM01 1 Milligrams per cubic metre Concentration of chlorophyll-a {chl-a} per unit volume of the water body [particulate phase] by in-situ chlorophyll fluorometer and manufacturer's calibration applied
CPHLPS01 1 Milligrams per cubic metre Concentration of chlorophyll-a {chl-a} per unit volume of the water body [particulate phase] by in-situ chlorophyll fluorometer and calibration against sample data
DOXYSU01 1 Micromoles per litre Concentration of oxygen {O2} per unit volume of the water body [dissolved phase] by Sea-Bird SBE 43 sensor and no calibration against sample data
PRESPR01 1 Decibars Pressure (spatial co-ordinate) exerted by the water body by profiling pressure sensor and corrected to read zero at sea level
PSALST01 1 Dimensionless Practical salinity of the water body by CTD and computation using UNESCO 1983 algorithm
TEMPST01 1 Degrees Celsius Temperature of the water body by CTD or STD
 

Definition of Rank
  • Rank 1 is a one-dimensional parameter
  • Rank 2 is a two-dimensional parameter
  • Rank 0 is a one-dimensional parameter describing the second dimension of a two-dimensional parameter (e.g. bin depths for moored ADCP data)

Problem Reports

No Problem Report Found in the Database

Data Access Policy

Public domain data

These data have no specific confidentiality restrictions for users. However, users must acknowledge data sources as it is not ethical to publish data without proper attribution. Any publication or other output resulting from usage of the data should include an acknowledgment.

The recommended acknowledgment is

"This study uses data from the data source/organisation/programme, provided by the British Oceanographic Data Centre and funded by the funding body."

Narrative Documents

Sea-Bird Dissolved Oxygen Sensor SBE 43 and SBE 43F

The SBE 43 is a dissolved oxygen sensor designed for marine applications. It incorporates a high-performance Clark polarographic membrane with a pump that continuously plumbs water through it, preventing algal growth and the development of anoxic conditions when the sensor is taking measurements.

Two configurations are available: SBE 43 produces a voltage output and can be incorporated with any Sea-Bird CTD that accepts input from a 0-5 volt auxiliary sensor, while the SBE 43F produces a frequency output and can be integrated with an SBE 52-MP (Moored Profiler CTD) or used for OEM applications. The specifications below are common to both.

Specifications

Housing Plastic or titanium
Membrane

0.5 mil- fast response, typical for profile applications

1 mil- slower response, typical for moored applications
Depth rating

600 m (plastic) or 7000 m (titanium)

10500 m titanium housing available on request
Measurement range 120% of surface saturation
Initial accuracy 2% of saturation
Typical stability 0.5% per 1000 h

Further details can be found in the manufacturer's specification sheet.

Instrument Description

CTD Unit and Auxiliary Sensors

A Sea-Bird Electronics SBE 911 plus CTD unit with an SBE 32 carousel water sampler was used. The CTD unit included the following sensors.

Sensor Manufacturer Model Serial number Calibration date
Pressure Paroscientific Digiquartz 410K-105 64240 2006-08-04
Temperature Sea-Bird 3plus 2041 2006-06-22
Conductivity Sea-Bird 4C 1615 2006-06-22
Oxygen Sea-Bird SBE 43 0504 2006-07-11
Fluorometer Wet Labs ECO FL FLRTD-064 2003-11-08
Transmissometer Wet Labs C-star CST-704DR 2003-08-25

Sea-Bird Electronics SBE 911 and SBE 917 series CTD profilers

The SBE 911 and SBE 917 series of conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) units are used to collect hydrographic profiles, including temperature, conductivity and pressure as standard. Each profiler consists of an underwater unit and deck unit or SEARAM. Auxiliary sensors, such as fluorometers, dissolved oxygen sensors and transmissometers, and carousel water samplers are commonly added to the underwater unit.

Underwater unit

The CTD underwater unit (SBE 9 or SBE 9 plus) comprises a protective cage (usually with a carousel water sampler), including a main pressure housing containing power supplies, acquisition electronics, telemetry circuitry, and a suite of modular sensors. The original SBE 9 incorporated Sea-Bird's standard modular SBE 3 temperature sensor and SBE 4 conductivity sensor, and a Paroscientific Digiquartz pressure sensor. The conductivity cell was connected to a pump-fed plastic tubing circuit that could include auxiliary sensors. Each SBE 9 unit was custom built to individual specification. The SBE 9 was replaced in 1997 by an off-the-shelf version, termed the SBE 9 plus, that incorporated the SBE 3 plus (or SBE 3P) temperature sensor, SBE 4C conductivity sensor and a Paroscientific Digiquartz pressure sensor. Sensors could be connected to a pump-fed plastic tubing circuit or stand-alone.

Temperature, conductivity and pressure sensors

The conductivity, temperature, and pressure sensors supplied with Sea-Bird CTD systems have outputs in the form of variable frequencies, which are measured using high-speed parallel counters. The resulting count totals are converted to numeric representations of the original frequencies, which bear a direct relationship to temperature, conductivity or pressure. Sampling frequencies for these sensors are typically set at 24 Hz.

The temperature sensing element is a glass-coated thermistor bead, pressure-protected inside a stainless steel tube, while the conductivity sensing element is a cylindrical, flow-through, borosilicate glass cell with three internal platinum electrodes. Thermistor resistance or conductivity cell resistance, respectively, is the controlling element in an optimized Wien Bridge oscillator circuit, which produces a frequency output that can be converted to a temperature or conductivity reading. These sensors are available with depth ratings of 6800 m (aluminium housing) or 10500 m (titanium housing). The Paroscientific Digiquartz pressure sensor comprises a quartz crystal resonator that responds to pressure-induced stress, and temperature is measured for thermal compensation of the calculated pressure.

Additional sensors

Optional sensors for dissolved oxygen, pH, light transmission, fluorescence and others do not require the very high levels of resolution needed in the primary CTD channels, nor do these sensors generally offer variable frequency outputs. Accordingly, signals from the auxiliary sensors are acquired using a conventional voltage-input multiplexed A/D converter (optional). Some Sea-Bird CTDs use a strain gauge pressure sensor (Senso-Metrics) in which case their pressure output data is in the same form as that from the auxiliary sensors as described above.

Deck unit or SEARAM

Each underwater unit is connected to a power supply and data logging system: the SBE 11 (or SBE 11 plus) deck unit allows real-time interfacing between the deck and the underwater unit via a conductive wire, while the submersible SBE 17 (or SBE 17 plus) SEARAM plugs directly into the underwater unit and data are downloaded on recovery of the CTD. The combination of SBE 9 and SBE 17 or SBE 11 are termed SBE 917 or SBE 911, respectively, while the combinations of SBE 9 plus and SBE 17 plus or SBE 11 plus are termed SBE 917 plus or SBE 911 plus.

Specifications

Specifications for the SBE 9 plus underwater unit are listed below:

Parameter Range Initial accuracy Resolution at 24 Hz Response time
Temperature -5 to 35°C 0.001°C 0.0002°C 0.065 sec
Conductivity 0 to 7 S m-1 0.0003 S m-1 0.00004 S m-1 0.065 sec (pumped)
Pressure 0 to full scale (1400, 2000, 4200, 6800 or 10500 m) 0.015% of full scale 0.001% of full scale 0.015 sec

Further details can be found in the manufacturer's specification sheet.

WETLabs ECO-FL Fluorometer

The Environmental Characterization Optics series of single channel fluorometers are designed to measure concentrations of natural and synthetic substances in water, and are therefore useful for biological monitoring and dye trace studies. Selected excitation and emission filters allow detection of the following substances: chlorophyll-a, coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM), uranine (fluorescein), rhodamine, phycoerythrin and phycocyanin.

The ECO-FL can operate continuously or periodically and has two different types of connectors to output the data (analogue and RS-232 serial output). The potted optics block results in long term stability of the instrument and the optional anti-biofouling technology delivers truly long term field measurements.

In addition to the standard model, five variants are available, and the differences between these and the basic ECO-FL are listed below:

Specifications

Temperature range 0 to 30°C
Depth rating

600 m (standard)

6000 m (deep)
Linearity 99 % R2
Chlorophyll-a
Wavelength (excitation/emission) 470/695 nm
Sensitivity 0.01 µg L-1
Typical range 0.01 to 125 µg L-1
CDOM
Wavelength (excitation/emission) 370/460 nm
Sensitivity 0.01 ppb
Typical range 0.09 to 500 ppb
Uranine
Wavelength (excitation/emission) 470/530 nm
Sensitivity 0.07 ppb
Typical range 0.12 to 230 ppb
Rhodamine
Wavelength (excitation/emission) 540/570 nm
Sensitivity 0.01 ppb
Typical range 0.01 to 230 ppb
Phycoerythrin
Wavelength (excitation/emission) 540/570 nm
Sensitivity 0.01 ppb
Typical range 0.01 to 230 ppb
Phycocyanin
Wavelength (excitation/emission) 630/680 nm
Sensitivity 0.15 ppt
Typical range 0.15 to 400 ppt

Further details can be found in the manufacturer's specification sheet.

WETLabs C-Star transmissometer

This instrument is designed to measure beam transmittance by submersion or with an optional flow tube for pumped applications. It can be used in profiles, moorings or as part of an underway system.

Two models are available, a 25 cm pathlength, which can be built in aluminum or co-polymer, and a 10 cm pathlength with a plastic housing. Both have an analog output, but a digital model is also available.

This instrument has been updated to provide a high resolution RS232 data output, while maintaining the same design and characteristics.

Specifications

Pathlength 10 or 25 cm
Wavelength 370, 470, 530 or 660 nm
Bandwidth

~ 20 nm for wavelengths of 470, 530 and 660 nm

~ 10 to 12 nm for a wavelength of 370 nm
Temperature error 0.02 % full scale °C-1
Temperature range 0 to 30°C
Rated depth

600 m (plastic housing)

6000 m (aluminum housing)

Further details are available in the manufacturer's specification sheet or user guide.

Originator's Data Processing

Sampling Strategy

A total of 155 CTD casts were performed on FRV Scotia cruise 0508S (06 May 2008 - 25 May 2008) in the northern North Sea, around the Shetland Islands, the Faroe-Shetland and Fair Isle Channels, and the Wyville Thomson Ridge. The CTDs were carried out close to the coast in most cases. The data were collected between 14:00 hours on 06 May 2008 and 14:00 hours on 20 May 2008. An additional 29 CTD casts were subsequently performed along the Ellett Line transect between Rockall and the Sea of the Hebrides, east of Barra.

Rosette bottles were fired in order to obtain independent salinity and fluorescence measurements. The sample data were used to derive calibrations for the conductivity and fluorescence profiles collected by the CTD.

Data Processing

The raw CTD data files were processed through the SeaBird Electronics SeaSoft data processing software following standard procedures. The originators used in-house interactive visual display editing software to edit out individual spikes in the primary temperature and conductivity channels. An ASCII file was generated for each CTD cast and all files from a cruise were concatenated into one ASCII file which was submitted to BODC.

Field Calibrations

Independent salinity samples, obtained from the CTD rosette and spread throughout the cruise, were used to calibrate the CTD conductivity data. Outlying points were discarded, and between 100 and 150 data points were used to derive the calibrations. The sample analyses yielded a straight line conductivity calibration of the form y = mx + c, where m=1.000041 and c = 0.004476.

Water samples obtained from the CTD rosette were also used to calibrate the CTD fluorescence data. Outlying points were discarded, and between 50 and 100 data points were used to derive the calibrations. The sample analyses yielded a straight line fluorescence calibration of the form y = mx + c, where m = 3.977 and c = -0.044359.

The uncalibrated data and calibrations were submitted to BODC, who applied the appropriate corrections.

Processing Undertaken by BODC

Data were received by BODC in one ASCII format file that was subsequently split into 184 separate files, one for each CTD profile. The series were reformatted to the internal QXF format using BODC transfer function 340. Sample calibrations were applied to conductivity and fluorescence data. The following table details mapping of variables to BODC parameter codes.

Original parameter name Original Units Description BODC Parameter Code BODC Units Comments
Pressure Decibars Pressure exerted by the water column PRESPR01 Decibars  
Temperature °C Temperature of the water column TEMPST01 °C  
Conductivity mS cm-1 Electrical conductivity of the water column calibrated against independent measurements CNCLCCI1 S m-1 Conversion by transfer (mS cm-1 x 0.1). Sample calibrations applied by transfer.
Salinity   Salinity of the water column PSALST01 Dimensionless Derived by transfer using UNESCO 1983 algorithm
Fluorescence µg l-1 In-situ fluorescence CPHLPM01 mg m-3  
Fluorescence µg l-1 In-situ fluorescence with field sample calibration applied CPHLPS01 mg m-3 Sample calibrations applied to raw fluorescence by transfer
Dissolved oxygen ml l-1 Dissolved oxygen with no field calibration against sample data DOXYSU01 µmol l-1 Conversion by transfer (ml l-1 x 44.6)
Beam attenuation m-1 Attenuance of the water column ATTNMR01 m-1  

Following transfer to QXF, the data were screened using BODC's in-house visualisation software, EDSERPLO. Any data considered as suspect were flagged 'M'. Flags from the originator marking suspect data were retained during transfer and flagged 'L'.

Project Information


No Project Information held for the Series

Data Activity or Cruise Information

Cruise

Cruise Name 0508S
Departure Date 2008-05-06
Arrival Date 2008-05-25
Principal Scientist(s)George Slesser (Fisheries Research Services Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
Ship FRV Scotia

Complete Cruise Metadata Report is available here

Fixed Station Information

Fixed Station Information

Station NameExtended Ellett Line
CategoryOffshore route/traverse

Extended Ellett Line

The Extended Ellett Line is a hydrographic transect consisting of 58 individual fixed stations which have been occupied, typically on an annual basis, since September 1996. The Line runs from the south of Iceland, across the Iceland Basin to the outcrop of Rockall, and across the Rockall Trough to the north west coast of Scotland (see map). CTD dips and associated water sampling for the analysis of nutrients are routinely performed during each station occupation.

The Extended Ellett Line augments the original Ellett Line time series - a shorter repeated transect which encompassed those stations between Rockall and Scotland. Work on the Ellett Line was typically carried out at least once a year between 1975 and 1996.

Map of standard stations (1996-present)

BODC image

Map produced using the GEBCO Digital Atlas

The white triangles indicate the nominal positions of the Extended Ellett Line stations visited since September 1996. Measurements made along the Extended Ellett Line lie within a box bounded by co-ordinates 56° N, 21° W at the south west corner and 65° N, 6° W at the north east corner.

Nominal Extended Ellett Line stations (September 1996-present)

Listed below are nominal details of the standard hydrographic stations that have formed the Extended Ellett Line since September 1996.

Station Latitude Longitude Depth Range
IB23S 63.318 N 20.210 W 125 m -
IB22S 63.217 N 20.067 W 660 m 0.0 nm
IB21S 63.133 N 19.917 W 1030 m 6.5 nm
IB20S 62.917 N 19.550 W 1415 m 16.4 nm
IB19S 62.667 N 19.667 W 1500 m 16.0 nm
IB18S 62.333 N 19.833 W 1800 m 16.0 nm
IB17 62.000 N 20.000 W 1700 m 20.6 nm
IB16 61.500 N 20.000 W 2000 m 30.1 nm
IB15 61.250 N 20.000 W 2375 m 15.0 nm
IB14 61.000 N 20.000 W 2400 m 15.0 nm
IB13 60.500 N 20.000 W 2500 m 30.1 nm
IB12 60.000 N 20.000 W 2700 m 30.1 nm
IB11 59.667 N 19.117 W 2680 m 33.3 nm
IB10 59.400 N 18.417 W 2420 m 26.7 nm
IB9 59.333 N 18.233 W 1910 m 6.9 nm
IB8 59.200 N 17.883 W 1540 m 13.4 nm
IB7 59.117 N 17.667 W 1000 m 8.3 nm
IB6 58.950 N 17.183 W 850 m 18.0 nm
IB5 58.883 N 17.000 W 1150 m 7.0 nm
IB4 58.500 N 16.000 W 1210 m 38.8 nm
IB3 58.250 N 15.333 W 680 m 25.8 nm
IB2 57.950 N 14.583 W 480 m 29.9 nm
IB1 57.667 N 13.900 W 160 m 27.7 nm
A 57.583 N 13.633 W 130 m 10.0 nm
B 57.567 N 13.333 W 210 m 9.7 nm
C 57.550 N 13.000 W 330 m 10.8 nm
D 57.542 N 12.867 W 1000 m 4.3 nm
E 57.533 N 12.633 W 1658 m 7.6 nm
F 57.508 N 12.250 W 1817 m 12.5 nm
G 57.492 N 11.850 W 1812 m 13.0 nm
H 57.483 N 11.533 W 2020 m 10.3 nm
I 57.467 N 11.317 W 750 m 7.0 nm
J 57.450 N 11.083 W 550 m 7.6 nm
K 57.400 N 10.867 W 850 m 7.6 nm
L 57.367 N 10.667 W 2076 m 6.8 nm
M 57.300 N 10.383 W 2340 m 10.1 nm
N 57.233 N 10.050 W 2100 m 11.5 nm
O 57.150 N 9.700 W 1900 m 12.4 nm
P 57.100 N 9.417 W 1050 m 9.7 nm
Q 57.050 N 9.217 W 350 m 7.2 nm
R 57.000 N 9.000 W 135 m 7.7 nm
S 56.950 N 8.783 W 125 m 7.7 nm
15G 56.883 N 8.500 W 125 m 10.1 nm
T 56.837 N 8.333 W 120 m 6.1 nm
14G 56.808 N 8.167 W 115 m 5.7 nm
13G 56.783 N 8.000 W 110 m 5.7 nm
12G 56.758 N 7.833 W 80 m 5.7 nm
11G 56.733 N 7.667 W 55 m 5.7 nm
10G 56.733 N 7.500 W 220 m 5.5 nm
9G 56.733 N 7.333 W 160 m 5.5 nm
8G 56.733 N 7.167 W 175 m 5.5 nm
7G 56.733 N 7.000 W 145 m 5.5 nm
6G 56.733 N 6.750 W 35 m 8.2 nm
5G 56.733 N 6.600 W 75 m 4.9 nm
4G 56.733 N 6.450 W 115 m 4.9 nm
3G 56.708 N 6.367 W 75 m 3.1 nm
2G 56.683 N 6.283 W 40 m 3.2 nm
1G 56.667 N 6.133 W 190 m 5.0 nm

Occupations of the Extended Ellett Line (September 1996-present)

BODC Cruise Identifier Cruise Dates Ship
D223A 28 September-21 October 1996 RRS Discovery
D230 7 August-17 September 1997 RRS Discovery
D233 23 April-1 June 1998 RRS Discovery
D242 7 September-6 October 1999 RRS Discovery
D245 * 27 January-20 February 2000 RRS Discovery
0700S * 8-22 May 2000 FRV Scotia
D253 4 May-20 June 2001 RRS Discovery
0703S * 15 April-5 May 2003 FRV Scotia
PO300_2 * 19 July-6 August 2003 RRS Poseidon
PO314 11 July-23 July 2004 RV Poseidon
CD176 6 October-1 November 2005 RRS Charles Darwin
D312 11-31 October 2006 RRS Discovery
D321A 24 July-23 August 2007 RRS Discovery
D321B 24 August-9 September 2007 RRS Discovery
0508S * 6-25 May 2008 FRV Scotia
D340A 10-25 June 2009 RRS Discovery
D351 10-28 May 2010 RRS Discovery
D365 13 May-02 June 2011 RRS Discovery

* These cruises only surveyed the original hydrographic section between Scotland and Rockall.

Other Series linked to this Fixed Station for this cruise - 880732 880744 880756 880768 880793 880800 880812 880824 880836 880848 880861 880873 880885 880897 880904 880916 880928 880941 880953 880965 880977 880989 880990 881004 881016 881028 881041 881053

Other Cruises linked to this Fixed Station (with the number of series) - 0508S (28) 0700S (20) 0703S (20) CD176 (40) D233 (25) D242 (45) D245 (25) D312 (51) D321 (D321A) (12) D321B (59) D340A (58) D351 (23) PO300_2 (31)

Fixed Station Information

Station NameEllett Line/Extended Ellett Line Station E
CategoryOffshore location
Latitude57° 31.98' N
Longitude12° 37.98' W
Water depth below MSL1658.0 m

Ellett Line/Extended Ellett Line: Station E

Station E is one of 58 fixed CTD stations, which together form The Extended Ellett Line. The line lies between Iceland and the Sound of Mull (Scotland) crossing the Iceland Basin and Rockall Trough via the outcrop of Rockall. As part of this initiative, CTD dips, together with associated discrete sampling of the water column, have typically been carried out annually at this station since September 1996.

Prior to September 1996, Station E was part of a shorter repeated survey section, consisting of 35 fixed stations, known as The Ellett Line (originally termed the Anton Dohrn Seamount Section). This line incorporated those stations across the Rockall Trough and Scottish shelf between Rockall and the Sound of Mull and was visited at regular intervals (usually at least once a year) between 1975 and January 1996.

Other Cruises linked to this Fixed Station (with the number of series) - 0700S (1) 0703S (1) CD176 (1) CD44 (1) CD92B (1) CH10/84 (1) CH103 (1) CH105 (1) CH10A/75 (1) CH11/77 (1) CH11/83 (1) CH112 (1) CH114 (1) CH11B/78 (1) CH120 (1) CH124 (1) CH13/77 (1) CH14 (1) CH14A/75 (1) CH15/81 (1) CH2/78 (1) CH2/84 (1) CH4/77 (1) CH4/80 (1) CH4/85 (1) CH5A/76 (1) CH6/78 (1) CH67A (1) CH6B/81 (1) CH7/80 (1) CH71A (3) CH75B (1) CH7B/82 (1) CH8/76 (1) CH8/85 (1) CH81 (1) CH9/78 (1) CH97 (1) D180 (1) D233 (1) D242 (1) D312 (1) D321B (1) D340A (1) D351 (1) LF1/89 (1) LF2/89 (1) PO300_2 (1)

Fixed Station Information

Station NameEllett Line
CategoryOffshore route/traverse

Ellett Line

The Ellett Line is a hydrographic transect consisting of 35 individual fixed stations which were occupied, usually at least once a year, between 1975 and 1996. The time series is named after the scientist David Ellett, who coordinated the survey work at Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory (DML), near Oban. The transect ran between the north west coast of Scotland to the small outcrop of Rockall, via the Anton Dohrn Seamount - a prominent bathymetric feature in the Rockall Trough (see map). STD/CTD dips and associated water sampling for the analysis of nutrients were routinely performed during each station occupation.

In 1996 the transect was lengthened to incorporate new additional fixed stations crossing the Iceland Basin from Rockall to Iceland. This transect, which is still routinely occupied annually, is now known as the Extended Ellett Line and is a collaborative effort between scientists at Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory and the Southampton site of the National Oceanography Centre (NOC).

Map of standard stations (1975-1996)

BODC image

Map produced using the GEBCO Digital Atlas

The white triangles indicate the nominal positions of the Ellett Line stations (1975- 1996). Measurements made along the Ellett Line lie within a box bounded by co-ordinates 56° 40.02' N, 13° 42.0' W at the south west corner and 57° 37.2' N, 6° 7.98' W at the north east corner.

Nominal Ellett Line stations (1975-1996)

Listed below are nominal details of the standard hydrographic stations that formed the Ellett Line between 1975 and January 1996.

Station Latitude Longitude Depth Range
A 57.583 N 13.633 W 130 m 10.0 nm
B 57.567 N 13.333 W 210 m 9.7 nm
C 57.550 N 13.000 W 330 m 10.8 nm
D 57.542 N 12.867 W 1000 m 4.3 nm
E 57.533 N 12.633 W 1658 m 7.6 nm
F 57.508 N 12.250 W 1817 m 12.5 nm
G 57.492 N 11.850 W 1812 m 13.0 nm
H 57.483 N 11.533 W 2020 m 10.3 nm
I 57.467 N 11.317 W 750 m 7.0 nm
J 57.450 N 11.083 W 550 m 7.6 nm
K 57.400 N 10.867 W 850 m 7.6 nm
L 57.367 N 10.667 W 2076 m 6.8 nm
M 57.300 N 10.383 W 2340 m 10.1 nm
N 57.233 N 10.050 W 2100 m 11.5 nm
O 57.150 N 9.700 W 1900 m 12.4 nm
P 57.100 N 9.417 W 1050 m 9.7 nm
Q 57.050 N 9.217 W 350 m 7.2 nm
R 57.000 N 9.000 W 135 m 7.7 nm
S 56.950 N 8.783 W 125 m 7.7 nm
15G 56.883 N 8.500 W 125 m 10.1 nm
T 56.837 N 8.333 W 120 m 6.1 nm
14G 56.808 N 8.167 W 115 m 5.7 nm
13G 56.783 N 8.000 W 110 m 5.7 nm
12G 56.758 N 7.833 W 80 m 5.7 nm
11G 56.733 N 7.667 W 55 m 5.7 nm
10G 56.733 N 7.500 W 220 m 5.5 nm
9G 56.733 N 7.333 W 160 m 5.5 nm
8G 56.733 N 7.167 W 175 m 5.5 nm
7G 56.733 N 7.000 W 145 m 5.5 nm
6G 56.733 N 6.750 W 35 m 8.2 nm
5G 56.733 N 6.600 W 75 m 4.9 nm
4G 56.733 N 6.450 W 115 m 4.9 nm
3G 56.708 N 6.367 W 75 m 3.1 nm
2G 56.683 N 6.283 W 40 m 3.2 nm
1G 56.667 N 6.133 W 190 m 5.0 nm

History of Ellett Line occupations (1975-January 1996)

BODC Cruise Identifier Cruise Dates Ship
CH3/75 4-13 March 1975 RRS Challenger
CH7A/75 1-6 May 1975 RRS Challenger
CH10A/75 4-10 July 1975 RRS Challenger
CH12A/75 26 August-2 September 1975 RRS Challenger
CH14A/75 7-12 November 1975 RRS Challenger
CH5A/76 29 March-5 April 1976 RRS Challenger
CH8/76 19 May-1 June 1976 RRS Challenger
CH12/76 4-15 August 1976 RRS Challenger
CH15/76 7-16 October 1976 RRS Challenger
CH17/76 7-20 December 1976 RRS Challenger
CH4/77 25 February-11 March 1977 RRS Challenger
CH6B/77 14-19 April 1977 RRS Challenger
CH10/77 29 June-10 July 1977 RRS Challenger
CH11/77 12-26 July 1977 RRS Challenger
CH13/77 20 August-3 September 1977 RRS Challenger
CH2/78 30 January-13 February 1978 RRS Challenger
CH6/78 11-21 April 1978 RRS Challenger
CH9/78 31 May-10 June 1978 RRS Challenger
CH11B/78 29 July-12 August 1978 RRS Challenger
CH11D/78 3-17 September 1978 RRS Challenger
CH14B/78 4-11 November 1978 RRS Challenger
CH7/79 10-23 May 1979 RRS Challenger
S5/79 19 June-2 July 1979 RRS Shackleton
CH13/79 11-16 September 1979 RRS Challenger
CH16/79 28 October-11 November 1979 RRS Challenger
CH4/80 26 February-7 March 1980 RRS Challenger
CH7/80 21 April-6 May 1980 RRS Challenger
CH2/81 26 January-4 February 1981 RRS Challenger
CH6A/81 CH6B/81 6-25 April 1981 RRS Challenger
CH10/81 4-14 July 1981 RRS Challenger
CH15/81 6-20 October 1981 RRS Challenger
CH7A/82 CH7B/82 26 April-16 May 1982 RRS Challenger
CH15/82 16-30 October 1982 RRS Challenger
CH7B/83 23 May-2 June 1983 RRS Challenger
CH11/83 10-24 August 1983 RRS Challenger
CH2/84 23 June-8 July 1984 RRS Challenger
CH10/84 16 November-6 December 1984 RRS Challenger
CH1/85 20 January-5 February 1985 RRS Challenger
CH4/85 2-16 May 1985 RRS Challenger
CH8/85 14-28 August 1985 RRS Challenger
CH9 8-22 January 1987 RRS Challenger
CH14 24 April-7 May 1987 RRS Challenger
CH22 23 November-5 December 1987 RRS Challenger
CH25 24 February-7 March 1988 RRS Challenger
CH30 6-23 June 1988 RRS Challenger
D180 20 January-4 February 1989 RRS Discovery
LF1/89 5-11 May 1989 RV Lough Foyle
LF2/89 4-10 August 1989 RV Lough Foyle
CD44 24 November-2 December 1989 RRS Charles Darwin
CH67A 21-29 June 1990 RRS Challenger
CH71A 29 August-5 September 1990 RRS Challenger
CH75B 23 February-3 March 1991 RRS Challenger
CH81 1-8 July 1991 RRS Challenger
CH97 25 September-6 October 1992 RRS Challenger
CH101B 13-20 March 1993 RRS Challenger
CH103 12-24 May 1993 RRS Challenger
CH105 3-16 September 1993 RRS Challenger
CH110 10-20 March 1994 RRS Challenger
CH112 28 April-13 May 1994 RRS Challenger
CH114 15-29 August 1994 RRS Challenger
CH116 17-29 November 1994 RRS Challenger
CD92B 13 April-2 May 1995 RRS Charles Darwin
CH120 18 July-6 August 1995 RRS Challenger
CH124 8-27 January 1996 RRS Challenger

Other Series linked to this Fixed Station for this cruise - 880732 880744 880756 880768 880793 880800 880812 880824 880836 880848 880861 880873 880885 880897 880904 880916 880928 880941 880953 880965 880977 880989 880990 881004 881016 881028 881041 881053

Other Cruises linked to this Fixed Station (with the number of series) - 0508S (28) 0700S (20) 0703S (20) CD176 (32) CD44 (34) CD92B (47) CH1/85 (19) CH10/77 (3) CH10/81 (21) CH10/84 (22) CH101B (13) CH103 (37) CH105 (34) CH10A/75 (15) CH11/77 (28) CH11/83 (35) CH110 (19) CH112 (35) CH114 (31) CH116 (25) CH11B/78 (26) CH11D/78 (14) CH120 (28) CH124 (32) CH12A/75 (3) CH13/77 (19) CH13/79 (17) CH14 (29) CH14A/75 (21) CH14B/78 (17) CH15/80 (8) CH15/81 (16) CH16/79 (13) CH2/78 (32) CH2/81 (13) CH2/82 (4) CH2/84 (29) CH22 (14) CH25 (18) CH3/83 (1) CH30 (23) CH4/77 (19) CH4/80 (29) CH4/85 (30) CH5A/76 (18) CH6/78 (25) CH63_2 (5) CH67A (27) CH6A/81 (14) CH6B/77 (24) CH6B/81 (20) CH7/79 (18) CH7/80 (16) CH71A (32) CH74A_1 (13) CH75B (31) CH7A/75 (24) CH7A/82 (24) CH7B/82 (13) CH7B/83 (29) CH8/76 (27) CH8/85 (30) CH81 (30) CH86B (8) CH89B (9) CH9 (25) CH9/78 (22) CH97 (30) CH9B/80 (10) D180 (30) D233 (10) D242 (23) D245 (25) D312 (34) D321B (35) D340A (34) D351 (34) DSK1/86 (10) FR13/85 (12) FR13/87 (2) FR14B/87 (2) FR18/87 (11) FR7B/86 (6) FR8/86 (13) LF1/89 (29) LF2/89 (30) PO300_2 (31) S5/79 (8)

BODC Quality Control Flags

The following single character qualifying flags may be associated with one or more individual parameters with a data cycle:

Flag Description
Blank Unqualified
< Below detection limit
> In excess of quoted value
A Taxonomic flag for affinis (aff.)
B Beginning of CTD Down/Up Cast
C Taxonomic flag for confer (cf.)
D Thermometric depth
E End of CTD Down/Up Cast
G Non-taxonomic biological characteristic uncertainty
H Extrapolated value
I Taxonomic flag for single species (sp.)
K Improbable value - unknown quality control source
L Improbable value - originator's quality control
M Improbable value - BODC quality control
N Null value
O Improbable value - user quality control
P Trace/calm
Q Indeterminate
R Replacement value
S Estimated value
T Interpolated value
U Uncalibrated
W Control value
X Excessive difference