Metadata Report for BODC Series Reference Number 1226057

• 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

Problem Reports

No Problem Report Found in the Database

Data Access Policy

Open Data supplied by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

You must always use the following attribution statement to acknowledge the source of the information: "Contains data supplied by Natural Environment Research Council."

Narrative Documents

Sea-Bird SBE37-IM MicroCAT

The SBE 37-IM MicroCAT is a high accuracy conductivity and temperature recorder (pressure optional) with a built in Inductive Modem, which provides reliable, low-cost, real-time data transmission. Designed for moorings and other long-duration, fixed-site deployments, MicroCATs have non-corroding titanium housings rated for operation to 7000 metres or pressure sensor full scale-range.

Communication with the MicroCAT is via a Surface Inductive Modem (SIM) to a computer or data logger. Commands and data are transmitted half-duplex between the SIM and the MicroCAT using DPSK (differential-phase-shift-keyed) telemetry. As a safe guard, the MicroCAT simultaneously backs up the data in its non-volatile internal memory as well as transmitting the data via telemetry.

The MicroCAT's aged and pressure-protected thermistor has a long history of exceptional accuracy and stability (typical drift is less than 0.002 °C per year). Electrical isolation of the conductivity electronics eliminates any possibility of ground-loop noise.

Specifications

Further information can be found via the following link: Sea-Bird SBE37-IM MicroCAT Datasheet

Project Information

ANIMATE- Atlantic Network on Interdisciplinary Moorings and Time-series for Europe

Scientific Rationale

The objective of the ANIMATE program is to make time series measurements from deep water observatories in the North Atlantic. ANIMATE is a European program coordinated by Prof. Uwe Send at IFM, Kiel and will establish deep ocean observing sites at three contrasting locations. The locations are CIS (Central Irminger Sea) east of Greenland, ESTOC (Estación Europea de Series Temporales del Oceano, Islas Canarias) about 100km north of the Canary Islands, and PAP (Porcupine Abyssal Plain). The measurements in the first instance are somewhat basic but nevertheless encapsulate the crucial processes that drive the biogeochemistry of any oceanic region.

At all three sites at about 15m depth (100m off the Canary Islands) there are frequent measurements of CO2 concentration, nutrients and fluorescence as a proxy for phytoplankton concentration. Throughout the top 100m there are measurements at about a dozen depths of salinity and temperature and this will enable us to characterise the complete annual cycle of the physics of the upper ocean. It is this physics which determines to a great extent the concentrations of limiting nutrients in the upper sunlit zone and the growth of phytoplankton. Phytoplankton are responsible for about half of the oceanic CO2 uptake and, as such, a better understanding of the relationship between physics, nutrients, phytoplankton growth and CO2 concentration is essential if we are to understand the processes and predict future responses of the oceans to anthropogenic CO2 release.

The ANIMATE project is funded by the EU in 2002-2004 as the 5th framework project EVR1-CT-2001-40014 and also funded in part by EU-funded projects Mersea IP and Carbo-Ocean.

References

Billett, D.S.M., Bett B.J., Reid, W.D.K., Boorman, B. and Priede, M. Long-term change in the abyssal NE Atlantic: The 'Amperima Event' revisited. Deep Sea Research II; PAP special volume (Submitted)

Hartman. S., Larkin. K. E., Lampitt, R. S, Koeve, W., Yool, A., Körtzinger, A., Hydes, D.J. (This volume) Seasonal and inter-annual biogeochemical variations at PAP (49°N, 16.5°W) 2003-2005. Deep Sea Research II; PAP special volume (Submitted)

Gooday, A et al. Long term change in foraminiferans Deep Sea Research II, PAP special volume (Submitted)

Martin, A.P., Lucas, M.I., Painter, S.C., Pidcock, R., Prandke H., Prandke,H., Stinchcombe, M.C. (2008) The supply of nutrients due to vertical turbulent mixing: a study at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain study site (49° 50'n 16° 30'w) in the northeast Atlantic. Deep Sea Research II, PAP special volume (Submitted)

Data Activity or Cruise Information

Data Activity

Moored Instrument Rig PAP1_072003

This rig was deployed as part of the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP) observatory project. 'PAP1_072003' refers to the deployment of mooring number 1 in July 2003 ('072003') located at the PAP Observatory. This was the second deployment of this mooring configuration at the PAP site, under this project.

Data summary

Instrumentation

This rig was anchored by a 1200 kg weight and was kept erect by groups of sub-surface floats attached along the mooring.

Related Data Activity activities are detailed in Appendix 1

Cruise

Complete Cruise Metadata Report is available here

Fixed Station Information

Fixed Station Information

Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP) Observatory

The Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP) observatory is a site at which moorings were deployed in the Northeastern Atlantic, as part of the ANIMATE (Atlantic Network of Interdisciplinary Moorings and Time-series for Europe), MERSEA (Marine Environment and Security for the European Area), EuroSITES, Oceans2025, Fix03 and CLASS projects. The PAP site is centred at latitude 49° N and longitude 16.5° W. Moorings have occupied this region since 2002 and are typically deployed for 12 months.

Please note: Near Real Time data is only stored at BODC where delayed mode data were not recovered. All near real time data can be found at the OceanSites GDA and through IFREMER.

Data summary

Status Indicators

Related Fixed Station activities are detailed in Appendix 2

BODC Quality Control Flags

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

SeaDataNet Quality Control Flags

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

Appendix 1: PAP1_072003

Related series for this Data Activity are presented in the table below. Further information can be found by following the appropriate links.

If you are interested in these series, please be aware we offer a multiple file download service. Should your credentials be insufficient for automatic download, the service also offers a referral to our Enquiries Officer who may be able to negotiate access.

Appendix 2: Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP)

Related series for this Fixed Station are presented in the table below. Further information can be found by following the appropriate links.

If you are interested in these series, please be aware we offer a multiple file download service. Should your credentials be insufficient for automatic download, the service also offers a referral to our Enquiries Officer who may be able to negotiate access.