Metadata Report for BODC Series Reference Number 1760647
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
AMT RRS James Cook Cruise JC039 meteorology quality control report
The meteorology data have been through BODC quality control screening. Some intermittent flagging of data have been made. Overall the data for the cruise duration appear good. Additional notes are provided from the NMF technicians' report where anomalies in the data were apparent due to problems with the sensors during the cruise.
Irradiance channels
Good agreement between the two total PAR sensors. For the two total solar irradiance sensors, one of them (starboard) reads slightly higher (about 70 - 80 W m-2) at noon than the other.
The data in the TIR and PAR channels did not require further flagging as it is unclear whether the variation is due to changing cloud cover etc.
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
AMT RRS James Cook Cruise JC039 meteorology instrumentation
| Manufacturer | Model | Serial number | Last calibration date | Deployment |
| Gill | Windsonic (Option 3) | 064537 | Port | |
| Skye Instruments | SKE510 | 28562 | 2009-04-29 | Starboard |
| Skye Instruments | SKE510 | 28561 | 2009-04-29 | Port |
| Kipp and Zonen Ltd | CM6B | 973135 | 2009-04-20 | Starboard |
| Kipp and Zonen Ltd | CM6B | 973134 | 2009-04-20 | Port |
| Vaisala | PTB210 | U1420016 | 2009-04-01 | Port |
| Vaisala | HMP45A | E1055002 | 2009-03-15 | Port |
Gill Instruments Windsonic Anemometer
The Gill Windsonic is a 2-axis ultrasonic wind sensor that monitors wind speed and direction using four transducers. The time taken for an ultrasonic pulse to travel from the North to the South transducers is measured and compared with the time for a pulse to travel from South to North. Travel times between the East and West transducers are similarly compared. The wind speed and direction are calculated from the differences in the times of flight along each axis. This calculation is independent of environmental factors such as temperature.
Specifications
| Ultrasonic output rate | 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 or 4 Hz |
| Operating Temperature | -35 to 70°C |
| Operating Humidity | < 5 to 100% RH |
| Anemometer start up time | < 5 s |
| Wind speed | |
| Range | 0 to 60 m s-1 |
| Accuracy | ± 2% at 2 m s-1 |
| Resolution | 0.01 m s-1 |
| Response time | 0.25 s |
| Threshold | 0.01 m s-1 |
| Wind direction | |
| Range | 0 to 359° |
| Accuracy | ± 3° at 12 m s-1 |
| Resolution | 1° |
| Response time | 0.25 s |
Further details can be found in the manufacturer's specification sheet.
Kipp and Zonen Pyranometer Model CM6B
The CM6B pyranometer is intended for routine global solar radiation measurement research on a level surface. The CM6B features a sixty-four thermocouple junction (series connected) sensing element. The sensing element is coated with a highly stable carbon based non-organic coating, which delivers excellent spectral absorption and long term stability characteristics. The sensing element is housed under two concentric fitting Schott K5 glass domes.
Specifications
| Dimensions (W x H) | 150.0 mm x 91.5 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 850 grams |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +80°C |
| Spectral Range | 305 - 2800 nm (50% points) |
| Sensitivity | 9 -15 µV/W/m2 |
| Impedance (nominal) | 70 - 100 ohm |
| Response Time (95%) | 30 sec |
| Non-linearity | < ± 1.2% (<1000 W/m2) |
| Temperature dependence of sensitivity | < ± 2% (-10 to +40°C) |
| Zero-offset due to temperature changes | < ± 4 W/m2 at 5 K/h temperature change |
Skye Instruments PAR Energy Sensor Model SKE 510
The SKE 510 is suitable for measuring photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) from natural or artificial light sources. The sensor is fully waterproof and guaranteed submersible to 4m depth, and indoor versions are also available.
The instrument uses a blue-enhanced planar diffused silicon detector to measure energy (in W m-2) over the 400-700 nm waveband. It has a cosine-corrected head and a square spectral response. The sensor can operate over a temperature range of -35 to 70 °C and a humidity range of 0-100% RH.
Specifications
| Sensitivity (current) | 1.5µA or 100 W m-2 |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity (voltage) | 1mV or 100 W m-2 |
| Working Range | 0-5000 W m-2 |
| Linearity error | 0.2% |
| Absolute calibration error | typ. less than 3% 5% max |
| Response time - voltage output | 10 ns |
| Cosine error | 3% |
| Azimuth error | less than 1% |
| Temperature co-efficient | ±0.1% per °C |
| Internal resistance - voltage output | c. 300 ohms |
| Longterm stability | ±2% |
| Material | Dupont 'Delrin' |
| Dimensions | 34 mm diameter 38mm height |
| Cable | 2 core screened 7 - 2 - 2C |
| Sensor Passband | 400 - 700 nm |
| Detector | Silicon photocell |
| Filters | Glass type and/or metal interference |
Vaisala PTB210 Digital Barometer
The basic specifications for this pressure sensor are as follows:
- Manufacturer: Vaisala
- Type: Silicon capacitive sensor
- Model: PTB210
- Range: 900 - 1100 hPa
- Output: 0-5VDC
- Total Accuracy (20°C): ±0.30hPa
- Operating temperature: -40 to +60 deg C
- Weight: 110g
- Certification Ingress Protection: IP65
Further details can be found in the manufacturer's specification sheet.
Vaisala Temperature and Relative Humidity HMP Sensors
A family of sensors and instruments (sensors plus integral displays or loggers) for the measurement of air temperature and relative humidity. All are based on a probe containing a patent (HUMICAP) capacitive thin polymer film capacitanece humidity sensor and a Pt100 platinum resistance thermometer. The probes are available with a wide range of packaging, cabling and interface options all of which have designations of the form HMPnn or HMPnnn such as HMP45 and HMP230. Vaisala sensors are incorporated into weather stations and marketed by Campbell Scientific.
All versions operate at up to 100% humidity. Operating temperature ranges vary between models, allowing users to select the version best suited to their requirements.
Further details can be found in the manufacturer's specification sheets for the HMP 45 series, HMP 70 series and HMP 230 series.
AMT RRS James Cook Cruise JC039 meteorogical data processing procedures
Originator's Data Processing
The meteorology component consisted of a suite of sensors mounted on the foremast at a height of approximately 17 m above the waterline. Parameters measured were wind speed and direction, air temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure. There were also a pair of optical sensors mounted on gimbals on each side of the ship. These measured total irradiance (TIR) and photo-synthetically active radiation (PAR).
The data from the meteorological sensors were logged by the TECHSAS system during the cruise and combined in the RVS Level-C format to produce the file 'surfmet'. The following instruments were logged during the cruise:
1) Gill Wind sonic (Option 3)
2) Skye Instruments SKE510 (port and starboard)
3) Kipp and Zonen Ltd CMB6 (port and starboard)
4) Vaisala PTB100A
5) Vaisala HMP45A
No processing was carried out using the RVS software suite on meteorology channels.
The table below shows the files delivered to BODC.
| Filename | Content Description | Format | Start Calendar Day | Start Time | Finish Calendar Day | Finish Time | Interval |
| surfmet | Relative wind speed, relative wind direction, air temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, PAR and TIR | RVS Level-C raw | 2009-10-13 | 14:26:00 | 2009-11-29 | 16:27:00 | 60 seconds |
BODC Data Processing
Reformatting
Meteorological data from the raw RVS files were transferred to BODC's NetCDF format (QXF) under the BODC Underway Data System (BUDS). This transfer involved reducing the data by averaging to 60 second intervals. Directional data were reduced by averaging using a unit circle.
The 'surfmet' file was used as the source data for transfer.
The following table shows how the variables within the files were mapped to appropriate BODC parameter codes.
surfmet
| Originator's Variables | Originator's Units | Description | BODC Parameter Code | BODC Units | Conversion Factor | Comments |
| press | 1 hPa | Atmospheric pressure at measurement height - no sea level correction | CAPHTU01 | 1 mbar | *1 | |
| ppar | 10-2mV | Raw port PAR sensor voltage | DVLTRPSD | V | *10-5 | Channel converted to PAR irradiance by BODC |
| spar | 10-2mV | Raw starboard PAR sensor voltage | DVLTRSSD | V | *10-5 | Channel converted to PAR irradiance by BODC |
| speed | m s-1 | Relative wind speed | ERWSSS01 | ms-1 | *1 | Channel converted to true wind speed by BODC |
| direct | Degrees | Relative wind direction | ERWD2201 | Degrees | *1 | Channel converted to true wind direction by BODC |
| airtemp | Degrees Celsius | Air temperature | CDTAZZ01 | Degrees Celsius | *1 | |
| humid | Percent | Air humidity | CRELZZ01 | Percent | *1 | |
| ptir | 10-2mV | Raw port TIR sensor voltage | CVLTRP01 | V | *10-5 | Channel converted to TIR by BODC |
| stir | 10-2mV | Raw starboard TIR sensor voltage | CVLTRS01 | V | *10-5 | Channel converted to TIR by BODC |
* NMF technician confirmed the fluorometer and transmissometer channels had been reversed during logging.
Wind channels
The BODC Matlab procedure 'wincor' was run using relative wind speed and direction, the ship's north-south and east-west velocities with the vane set to 0 degrees at the bow to generate absolute wind speed (EWSASS01) and direction (EWDASS01).
Screening
Each data channel was inspected on a graphics workstation using BODC screening software EDSERPLO and any spikes or periods of dubious data were flagged using BODC quality control flag system. Impossible values were checked carefully and flagged null only if believed to be genuine missing or bad data. EDSERPLO was used to carry out comparative screening checks between channels by overlaying data channels. A map of the cruise track was simultaneously displayed in order to take account of the oceanographic context.
Calibrations
Field Calibrations
No field calibrations were applied to the data at BODC.
Manufacturer's Calibrations
Irradiance channels
The following manufacturer's calibrations were applied to the PAR and TIR light sensors using:
y (W m -2 ) = (a x 10 6 )/b where 'a' is the raw data in volts and 'b' is the calibration offset (µV per W m -2 ) as shown below.
| Sensor | Serial no | location | offset (µV per W m -2 ) |
| PAR | 28561 | Port | 10.17 |
| PAR | 28562 | Starboard | 10.86 |
| TIR | 973135 | Starboard | 11.84 |
| TIR | 973134 | Port | 10.96 |
Project Information
Oceans 2025 Theme 10, Sustained Observation Activity 1: The Atlantic Meridional Transect (AMT)
The Atlantic Meridional Transect has been operational since 1995 and through the Oceans 2025 programme secures funding for a further five cruises during the period 2007-2012. The AMT programme began in 1995 utilising the passage of the RRS James Clark Ross between the UK and the Falkland Islands southwards in September and northwards in April each year. Prior to Oceans 2025 the AMT programme has completed 18 cruises following this transect in the Atlantic Ocean. This sustained observing system aims to provide basin-scale understanding of the distribution of planktonic communities, their nutrient turnover and biogenic export in the context of hydrographic and biogeochemical provinces of the North and South Atlantic Oceans.
The Atlantic Meridional Transect Programme is an open ocean in situ observing system that will:
- give early warning of any fundamental change in Atlantic ecosystem functionng
- improve forecasts of the future ocean state and associated socio-economic impacts
- provide a "contextual" logistical and scientific infrastructure for independently-funded national and international open ocean biogeochemical and ecological research.
The specific objectives are:
- To collect hydrographic, chemical, ecological and optical data on transects between the UK and the Falkland Islands
- To quantify the nature and causes of ecological and biogeochemical variability in planktonic ecosystems
- To assess the effects of variability in planktonic ecosystems on biogenic export and on air-sea exchange of radiatively active gases
The measurements taken and experiments carried out on the AMT cruises will be closely linked to Themes 2 and 5. The planned cruise track also allows for the AMT data to be used in providing spatial context to the Sustained Observation Activities at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain Ocean Observatory (SO2) and the Western Channel Observatory (SO10).
More detailed information on this Work Package is available at pages 6 - 9 of the official Oceans 2025 Theme 10 document: Oceans 2025 Theme 10
Weblink: http://www.oceans2025.org/
Data Activity or Cruise Information
Cruise
| Cruise Name | JC039 (AMT19, JC040) |
| Departure Date | 2009-10-13 |
| Arrival Date | 2009-12-01 |
| Principal Scientist(s) | Andrew Rees (Plymouth Marine Laboratory) |
| Ship | RRS James Cook |
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 |
