Where to find data

Sunset over the Atlantic Ocean after a long day collecting data ©

At BODC, we hold a wealth of publicly accessible marine data collected using a variety of instruments and samplers and collated from many sources. We handle biological, chemical, physical and geophysical data and our databanks contain measurements of nearly 22,000 different oceanographic variables.

Our data policy

We encourage the use of our data holdings for science, education and industry, as well as the wider public. BODC makes data available under a licence agreement. In the case of NERC data the conditions are in line with the NERC Data Policy that formally lays down the conditions under which the data may be used. For data from non-NERC organisations the conditions are broadly similar. These will be explained following a request prior to the delivery of data.

Our data delivery

BODC strives to make our data holdings accessible via our web site. We are currently enhancing our web-based data and metadata delivery capability. However not all of our holdings are accessible at present. If you cannot find the data you require below please contact the BODC Enquiries Officer.

• Online delivery
  Retrieve data directly from our web site. Data currently available include
  • All data series — all data (including CTD profiles, current meter and wave data) held in our National Oceanographic Database
  • Argo floats
  • CTD and underway data (Atlantic Meridional Transect)
  • Gridded bathymetry data (General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans)
  • UK Tide Gauge Network
  • Historical UK tide gauge data — scanned charts and ledgers
  • International sea level data (Global Sea Level Observing System/World Ocean Circulation Experiment/Climate Variability and Predictability)
  • Numerical model data — access to all numerical model data sets
  • OPeNDAP/DODS server
  • Historical bottom pressure recorder data
• Online request
  Automatically request data by searching inventories and selecting data of interest (by ticking a box). Data currently available include
  • CTD profiles
  • Current meter series
  • Wave data series
• Published Data Library (PDL)
  The 'Published Data Library' provides snapshots of specially chosen datasets that are archived with rigorous version management. This enables citation through the assignment of a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) in collaboration with the British Library. Further information includes
  • Implementation of the PDL — the current implementation of the operational prototype and its future development.
  • Level of service — the level of service that the PDL offers to data contributors.
  • Dataset selection procedures — the selection procedures for dataset inclusion in our PDL.
  • Dataset standards — good practice criteria, adopted across NERC's Environmental Data Centres, that must be met for a dataset to be included for publication in our PDL.
  • Dataset modification and versioning — how changes to published datasets will be handled.
  • Access the PDL catalogue — A complete list of datasets included in the BODC PDL.
• Information and inventories
  Search various inventories, directories or catalogues to find information describing data sets either held by BODC or known to us. Information available includes
  • Biological data
  • Chemical data
  • Cruise inventory
  • European Directory of Marine Environmental Data (EDMED)
  • Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) Station Handbook
  • NERC Data Catalogue Service
  • International inventory of current meters
  • Summary of BODC holdings
• Code and format definitions
  Details of the BODC Parameter Dictionary and our data file format specifications.
• Submitting data to BODC
  Help on submitting data, details of information required by BODC to accompany data.
• Portals and links
  • Portals — A mechanism of combining ‘like’ data sets to enable easy access for the user
  • Links directory — Access to a wide range of marine related web resources
  • OceanNet — A web portal to three working groups that each focus on advancing areas of UK marine science

Realtime data

We have also developed and maintain two near realtime web sites on behalf of the marine community.

• CARBON-OPS — An operational UK air-sea carbon flux observation capability
  

  The aim is to develop an automated supply chain of ocean surface and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) measurements from selected UK research ships to operational end-users. By monitoring surface ocean pCO₂ and measuring the exchange of CO₂ between the ocean and atmosphere, CARBON-OPS hopes to help provide early warning of changes in the oceans' capacity to absorb CO₂ and the consequences for climate change.

  View the CARBON-OPS web site.

• RAPID MOC — The RAPID Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) monitoring array
  

  The aim of the system is to transmit near realtime data from key moorings, deployed as part of a monitoring array to measure the Atlantic MOC. By continuously observing the strength and structure of the MOC, RAPID-MOC hopes to help provide an early warning of a rearrangement in the Atlantic Circulation, which may cause a change to European climates.

  View the RAPID MOC web site.