Metadata Report for BODC Series Reference Number 1037028
Metadata Summary
Problem Reports
Data Access Policy
Narrative Documents
Project Information
Data Activity or Cruise Information
Fixed Station Information
BODC Quality Flags
SeaDataNet Quality Flags
Metadata Summary
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Problem Reports
No Problem Report Found in the Database
FRV Scotia 1309S Data quality report
The attenuation channel contains a significant proportion of noisy data.
These data should be used with caution.
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 911plus CTD unit was used. Water samples were collected with a SBE 35 Carousel, which was attached to the CTD frame. The CTD unit included the following sensors.
| Sensor | Manufacturer | Model | Serial number | Calibration date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure | Paroscientific | 64240 | 2009-06-30 | |
| Temperature | Sea-Bird | 2041 | 2008-07-10 | |
| Conductivity | Sea-Bird | 1615 | 2008-07-23 | |
| Fluorometer | WetLabs | ECO_FL | FLRTD-064 | 2003-11-08 |
| Transmissometer | WetLabs | C-Star | CST-704DR | 2003-08-25 |
| Oxygen | Sea-Bird | 0504 | 2009-06-23 |
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 FLNTU fluorescence and turbidity sensor
The Environmental Characterization Optics (ECO) Fluorometer and Turbidity (FLNTU) sensor is a dual wavelength, single-angle instrument that simultaneously determines chlorophyll fluorescence and turbidity. It is easily integrated in CTD packages and provides a reliable turbidity measurement that is not affected by Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) concentration.
The FLNTU can operate continuously or periodically and has two different types of connectors to output the data. There are 5 other models that operate the same way as this instrument but have slight differences, as stated below:
- FLNTU(RT) - has an analog an RS-232 serial output and operates continuously, when power is supplied
- FLNTU(RT)D - similar to the FLNTU(RT) but has a depth rating of 6000 m
- FLNTUB - has internal batteries for autonomous operation
- FLNTUS - has an integrated anti-fouling bio-wiper
- FLNTUSB - has the same characteristics as the FLNTUS but with internal batteries for autonomous operation
Specifications
| Temperature range | 0 to 30°C |
| Depth rating | 600 m (standard) 6000 m (deep) |
| Turbidity | |
| Wavelength | 700 nm |
| Sensitivity | 0.01 NTU |
| Typical range | 0.01 to 25 NTU |
| Fluorescence | |
| Wavelength | 470 nm (excitation), 695 nm (emission) |
| Sensitivity | 0.01 µg L-1 |
| Typical range | 0.01 to 50 µg L-1 |
| Linearity | 99% R2 |
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.
BODC Processing
Data were received by BODC in one ASCII format file that was subsequently split into 162 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 the conductivity 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 | CPHLPS01 | mg m -3 | |
| Attenuation | Volts | Transmissivity of the water column | ATTNMR01 | m -1 | |
| Oxygen | ml l -1 | Oxygen concentration | DOXYSU01 | µMoles l -1 | Conversion by transfer (ml l-1 x 44.66) |
| Oxygen Saturation | % | Percentage oxygen saturation of the water column | OXYSZZ01 | % |
Following transfer to QXF, the data were screened using BODC's in-house visualisation software, EDSERPLO. Any data considered as suspect were flagged. Flags from the originator marking suspect data were retained during transfer.
Originator's Data Processing
Sampling Strategy
A total of 162 CTD casts were performed on FRV Scotia cruise 1309S (01 October 2009 - 19 October 2009) along the JONSIS line, East of Shetland and the Shelf Edge/Fair Isle Channel. The data were collected between 03:43 hours on 02 October 2009 and 07:21 hours on 18 October 2009.
Water samples were collected in order to obtain independent salinity and fluoresence measurements. The sample data were used to derive calibrations for the conductivity and fluoresence 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. In addition, a low-pass filter (Sy 1985) was applied to particularly noisy data. 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.
Sy A., 1985. An alternative editing technique for oceanographic data. Deep Sea Research Part A: Oceanographic Research Papers, 32 (12), 1591-1599.
Field Calibrations
Independent salinity and fluoresence samples, obtained from the sample bottle and spread throughout the cruise, were used to calibrate the CTD conductivity and fluoresence data. Outlying points were discarded, and between 120 and 152 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 = 1.000233 and c = -0.003428 (conductivity) and where m = 0.004398 and c = -0.584044 (fluoresence).
| Parameter | Value of m (y=mx+c) | Value of c (y=mx+c) | Equation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conductivity | 1.000233 | -0.003428 | C(cal) = 1.000233C(obs) - 0.003428 |
| Fluoresence | 0.004398 | -0.584044 | C(cal) = 0.004398C(obs) - 0.584044 |
The calibrated and uncalibrated data were submitted to BODC, who applied the appropriate corrections.
Project Information
No Project Information held for the Series
Data Activity or Cruise Information
Cruise
| Cruise Name | 1309S |
| Departure Date | 2009-10-01 |
| Arrival Date | 2009-10-19 |
| Principal Scientist(s) | George Slesser (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Ship | FRV Scotia |
Complete Cruise Metadata Report is available here
Fixed Station Information
No Fixed Station Information held for the Series
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 |
SeaDataNet Quality Control Flags
The following single character qualifying flags may be associated with one or more individual parameters with a data cycle:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | no quality control |
| 1 | good value |
| 2 | probably good value |
| 3 | probably bad value |
| 4 | bad value |
| 5 | changed value |
| 6 | value below detection |
| 7 | value in excess |
| 8 | interpolated value |
| 9 | missing value |
| A | value phenomenon uncertain |
| B | nominal value |
| Q | value below limit of quantification |
