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Metadata Report for BODC Series Reference Number 1804056


Metadata Summary

Data Description

Data Category Currents -subsurface Eulerian
Instrument Type
NameCategories
Aanderaa RCM 7/8 Recording Current Meter  current meters
Instrument Mounting subsurface mooring
Originating Country United Kingdom
Originator Mr Colin Griffiths
Originating Organization Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory (now Scottish Association for Marine Science)
Processing Status banked
Online delivery of data Download available - Ocean Data View (ODV) format
Project(s) -
 

Data Identifiers

Originator's Identifier 9177.246
BODC Series Reference 1804056
 

Time Co-ordinates(UT)

Start Time (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm) 1989-08-04 14:00
End Time (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm) 1989-11-20 09:29
Nominal Cycle Interval 1800.0 seconds
 

Spatial Co-ordinates

Latitude 56.61833 N ( 56° 37.1' N )
Longitude 6.40500 W ( 6° 24.3' W )
Positional Uncertainty 0.1 to 0.5 n.miles
Minimum Sensor or Sampling Depth 30.0 m
Maximum Sensor or Sampling Depth 30.0 m
Minimum Sensor or Sampling Height 22.0 m
Maximum Sensor or Sampling Height 22.0 m
Sea Floor Depth 52.0 m
Sea Floor Depth Source DATAHEAD
Sensor or Sampling Distribution Fixed common depth - All sensors are grouped effectively at the same depth which is effectively fixed for the duration of the series
Sensor or Sampling Depth Datum Sea floor reference - Depth measured as a height above sea floor but converted into a depth relative to the sea surface according to the same datum as used for sea floor depth (applicable to instrument depths not bathymetric depths)
Sea Floor Depth Datum Approximate - Depth is only approximate
 

Parameters

BODC CODERankUnitsTitle
AADYAA011DaysDate (time from 00:00 01/01/1760 to 00:00 UT on day)
AAFDZZ011DaysTime (time between 00:00 UT and timestamp)
ACYCAA011DimensionlessSequence number
LCEWEL011Centimetres per secondEastward velocity of water current (Eulerian measurement) in the water body by in-situ current meter
LCNSEL011Centimetres per secondNorthward velocity of water current (Eulerian measurement) in the water body by in-situ current meter
PREXPR011DecibarsPressure (measured variable) exerted by the water body by semi-fixed in-situ pressure sensor and corrected to read zero at sea level
TEMPPR011Degrees CelsiusTemperature of the water body

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

Open 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.

If the Information Provider does not provide a specific attribution statement, or if you are using Information from several Information Providers and multiple attributions are not practical in your product or application, you may consider using the following:

"Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0."


Narrative Documents

Aanderaa Recording Current Meter Model 7/8

Manufacturer's specifications: recording unit height 49.5cm (RCM8 52.0cm), diameter 12.8cm, vane size 48.5x50.0cm. Meter is designed for depths down to 2000m (RCM8 6000m). It incorporates a spindle which is shackled to the mooring line. The meter is attached to the spindle through a gimbal mounting which permits a maximum 27° deviation of the spindle from the vertical, the meter still remaining horizontal.

Meter comprises :

  1. Paddle wheel rotor magnetically coupled to an electronic counter

  2. Vane, which aligns instrument with current flow, has a balance weight ensuring static balance and tail fins to ensure dynamic balance in flows up to 250cm/s.

  3. Magnetic compass (needle is clamped to potentiometer ring) - direction recorded with 0.35° resolution, 5° accuracy for speeds 5 to 100cm/s, 7.5° accuracy for remaining speeds within 2.5 to 200cm/s range.

  4. Quartz clock, accuracy better than 2 sec/day within temperature range 0 to 20°C.

  5. Thermistor (temperature sensor), standard range -2.46 to 21.48°C (max on high range 36.04°C), accuracy 0.05°C, resolution 0.1 per cent of range, 63 per cent response time 12sec.

  6. Inductive cell conductivity sensor (optional), range 0 to 70mmho/cm standard resolution 0.1 per cent of range.

  7. Silicon piezoresistive bridge, standard range 0 to 3000 psi (RCM8 to 9000 psi), resolution 0.1% of range.

  8. Self balancing potentiometer which converts the output from each sensor into a 10 bit binary number for storage on magnetic tape.

  9. Associated electronics.

A built-in clock triggers the instrument at preset intervals and up to six channels are sampled in sequence. Channel 1 is a fixed reference reading for control purposes and data identification. Channels 2, 3 and 4 represent measurement of temperature, conductivity and pressure. Channels 5 and 6 represent the VECTOR AVERAGED current speed and direction since the previous triggering of the instrument. The number of rotor revolutions and the direction is sampled every 12 seconds and broken into North and East components. Successive components are added and recorded as speed and direction. For recording intervals longer than 10 minutes, speed and direction are sampled 1/50th of recording interval.

It has become common practice in some laboratories to deploy these meters as temperature and conductivity loggers without current measuring capabilities.

The following link will provide the manufacturer specifications:

Manufacturer specifications

DML Aanderaa RCM current meter data: Originator's data processing

Summary of DML (formerly SMBA) Standard Procedures for Current Meter Data

Mooring System for Water Depths up to 200m

U shaped mooring i.e. pellet float to pellet line to sub-surface buoy to meter mooring line (with either in-line or A-frame mounting of meters) to anchor weight to ground line to anchor weight to marker buoy tow chain, then line to surface spar marker buoy and to pellet line and floats. The mooring is deployed in the order given and recovered in reverse order. Usually lengths of main wires are: buoy tow line D-15m, buoy tow chain 55m, sometimes buoy line is all chain, (prior to 1977 buoy tow line 2D used without chain), ground wire 2D (but never less than 150m), meter rope (excluding sub-surface buoy bridles and anchor bridles) D-X-3m where D is the depth of water and X is the depth of the sub-surface buoy. Generally X=30m but this may vary depending on the application of the mooring and the requirement for near surface current measurements. The mooring site is chosen by echo sounding to accord with the preset length of instrument line; however occasionally the length of the instrument line is adjusted on station. The site is positioned to an accuracy of 0.5nm using either Decca main chain, Loran or Satellite Navigation (GPS), depending on reception etc.

Data Processing

Speed is integrated over the sampling interval. Direction and, where measured, temperature and pressure, are taken as spot measurements at the end of the sampling interval. Direction is corrected for magnetic variation. Pressure measurements are not corrected for atmospheric pressure.

Parameter values i.e. speed, temperature and pressure are given at times incremented by the sample interval. The time assigned to each parameter is that of the end of the sampling interval. Time values are corrected for clock error should this occur.

Sea floor depths are relative to the instantaneous sea surface i.e. obtained from corrected echo soundings at the time of rig deployment (Matthew's corrections are applied).

Calibrations

Each meter is calibrated against the manufacturer's formulae for direction and Plessey meters are calibrated for temperature; Aanderaa meters use the manufacturer's temperature calibrations. The manufacturer's velocity and pressure calibrations are used.

DML Aanderaa RCM current meters: BODC data processing

Data from 7 Aanderaa RCM current meters arrived at BODC in ASCII format.

Data were reformatted to a standard BODC format. The following table shows how the variables within the data files were mapped to appropriate standard BODC parameter codes:

Originator's Variable Units Description BODC Parameter Code Units Comment
Northward current velocity Centimetres per second Northward current velocity (Eulerian) in the water body by in-situ current meter LCNSEL01 Centimetres per second -
Eastward current velocity Centimetres per second Eastward current velocity (Eulerian) in the water body by in-situ current meter LCEWEL01 Centimetres per second -
Temperature Degrees Celsius Temperature of the water body TEMPPR01 Degrees Celsius -
Pressure Decibars Pressure (measured variable) exerted by the water body by semi-fixed in-situ pressure sensor and corrected to read zero at sea level PREXPR01 Decibars -
Salinity psu Practical salinity of the water body by conductivity cell and computation using UNESCO 1983 algorithm PSALPR01 dimensionless Only applies to serial/rig - 8217/240, 8580/243 and 8217/246

The reformatted data were visualised using BODC's in-house visualisation software. Suspect data were marked by adding an appropriate quality control flag, missing data by both setting the data to an appropriate value and setting the quality control flag.


Project Information


No Project Information held for the Series

Data Activity or Cruise Information

Data Activity

Start Date (yyyy-mm-dd) 1989-08-04
End Date (yyyy-mm-dd) 1989-11-20
Organization Undertaking ActivityDunstaffnage Marine Laboratory (now Scottish Association for Marine Science)
Country of OrganizationUnited Kingdom
Originator's Data Activity IdentifierTiree#246
Platform Categorysubsurface mooring

Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory Moored Instrument Rig#246

This rig was deployed in the Tiree Passage at site Y. The deployment forms part of the moored current meter series in the Tiree Passage, from 1981 to present.

Rig Position 56° 37.1' N, 06° 24.3' W
Time Series Start/Deployment Vessel 4 Aug 1989 14:00
from cruise RV Lough Foyle LF2/89
Time Series End /Recovery Vessel 20 Nov 1989 09:29

The instruments formed a U-shaped mooring anchored by two 450kg weights, connected by a 100 metre ground wire. A spar marker buoy was attached to one of the weights, with a recovery line. The instruments, attached to the second weight, were held erect by a sub-surface buoy.

Instruments deployed on the rig

Height above
Sea Bed
Instrument
11m Aanderaa current meter (#8217)
22m Aanderaa current meter (#9177)

Both instruments were fitted with temperature and salinity sensors.

Related Data Activity activities are detailed in Appendix 1

Cruise

Cruise Name LF2/89
Departure Date 1989-08-04
Arrival Date 1989-08-10
Principal Scientist(s)David J Ellett (Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory)
Ship RV Lough Foyle

Complete Cruise Metadata Report is available here


Fixed Station Information

Fixed Station Information

Station NameDML Tiree Passage Mooring
CategoryOffshore location
Latitude56° 37.20' N
Longitude6° 24.00' W
Water depth below MSL50.0 m

Tiree Passage Mooring

The Tiree Passage Mooring (also referred to as Y Mooring) is a current meter mooring at 56° 37.2' N, 6° 24.0' W. It has been maintained by the Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory (DML)/ Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) since 1981. The mooring is serviced approximately 3 times a year. The Tiree Passage Mooring is the longest moored time series of flow and temperature on the NW European continental shelf.

Between 21/05/1993 and 17/09/1997 the mooring included two Aanderaa current meters located 11 m and 22 m above the sea floor except for the period between 09/05/1994 and 15/08/1994 when there was no top current meter. The proportion of good data returned was exceptionally high.

Gaps in the time series are caused by fluctuations in funding, mooring losses and instrument failures (additional gaps in the current time series, usually due to fouling of mechanical current meters).

Although conductivity sensors were fitted to the Aanderaa current meters from 1994 to 1997, the reliability of these sensors over long periods is questionable, and more work needs to be done in cross calibrating the calculated salinity against the salinity of coincident 'Ellett Line/Extended Ellett Line' CTD casts.

It should be noted that some data were submitted to BODC from PML and not DML. This was due the relocation of the Principal Investigator responsible for the data. He subsequently returned to DML.

Summary of Key Activities

Date Activity
1981 Tiree mooring is first deployed
June 1981 Hourly current and temperature measurements using Aanderaa recording current meters (RCMs) recorded at the bottom of the mooring (11 m above the bed)
November 1987 Addition of Aanderaa recording current meters (RCMs) at 22 m above the bed
September 1993 Hourly salinity measurements started to be taken at both depths using Aanderaa conductivity sensors
September 1997 Collection of data at both depths stops
Between June 1999 and February 2000 The mooring was re-deployed
May 2002 until the present Mooring is fitted with RCMs at both 20 m and 45 m above the bed.
August 2002 A Seabird MicroCAT salinity sensor was added at 20 m above bed.

BODC image

Figure 1: Map showing the locations of the Tiree mooring data time series.

BODC image

Figure 2: The typcial set up of the Tiree mooring.

References

Inall, M. and Griffiths, C., 2003 The Tiree Passage Time Series: 1981-2003 DEFRA MECN: Tiree Passage

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:

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

Appendix 1: Tiree#246

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.

Series IdentifierData CategoryStart date/timeStart positionCruise
1804044Currents -subsurface Eulerian1989-08-04 14:00:0056.61833 N, 6.405 WRV Lough Foyle LF2/89

Appendix 2: DML Tiree Passage Mooring

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.

Series IdentifierData CategoryStart date/timeStart positionCruise
46857Currents -subsurface Eulerian1983-02-19 11:15:0056.6179 N, 6.3983 WNot applicable
46869Currents -subsurface Eulerian1983-05-30 04:15:0056.6266 N, 6.3964 WNot applicable
60666Currents -subsurface Eulerian1984-06-26 17:15:0056.6217 N, 6.3967 WRRS Challenger CH2/84
249384Currents -subsurface Eulerian1985-01-28 18:45:0656.63 N, 6.4017 WRRS Challenger CH1/85
249396Currents -subsurface Eulerian1985-05-07 22:00:0056.62 N, 6.4 WRRS Challenger CH4/85
60863Currents -subsurface Eulerian1985-08-19 09:00:0056.625 N, 6.4 WRRS Challenger CH8/85
60967Currents -subsurface Eulerian1985-12-15 17:00:0056.6167 N, 6.4 WRRS Frederick Russell FR13/85
61018Currents -subsurface Eulerian1986-03-21 21:00:0056.619 N, 6.4065 WRRS Charles Darwin CD10B
61092Currents -subsurface Eulerian1986-06-14 19:00:0056.6233 N, 6.4033 WMV Dawn Sky DSK1/86
249403Currents -subsurface Eulerian1987-01-09 16:00:0656.6267 N, 6.3867 WRRS Challenger CH9
249102Currents -subsurface Eulerian1987-05-01 13:00:0056.6183 N, 6.4167 WRRS Challenger CH14
249187Currents -subsurface Eulerian1987-09-01 09:00:0056.625 N, 6.405 WRRS Frederick Russell FR18/87
249280Currents -subsurface Eulerian1987-11-29 14:30:0656.63 N, 6.41 WRRS Challenger CH22
249292Currents -subsurface Eulerian1987-11-29 14:30:0656.63 N, 6.41 WRRS Challenger CH22
249323Currents -subsurface Eulerian1988-03-07 12:00:0056.625 N, 6.415 WRRS Challenger CH25
249311Currents -subsurface Eulerian1988-03-07 12:00:0656.625 N, 6.415 WRRS Challenger CH25
1803993Currents -subsurface Eulerian1988-06-08 15:00:0056.62833 N, 6.40333 WRRS Challenger CH30
1804007Currents -subsurface Eulerian1988-06-08 15:00:0056.62833 N, 6.40333 WRRS Challenger CH30
1804019Currents -subsurface Eulerian1989-01-23 16:30:0656.62667 N, 6.39167 WRRS Discovery D180
1804020Currents -subsurface Eulerian1989-01-23 16:30:0656.62667 N, 6.39167 WRRS Discovery D180
1804032Currents -subsurface Eulerian1989-05-05 11:30:0656.61667 N, 6.40333 WRV Lough Foyle LF1/89
1804044Currents -subsurface Eulerian1989-08-04 14:00:0056.61833 N, 6.405 WRV Lough Foyle LF2/89
508056Currents -subsurface Eulerian1993-05-21 08:45:0056.6283 N, 6.3967 WRRS Challenger CH103
508308Currents -subsurface Eulerian1993-05-21 08:45:0656.6283 N, 6.3967 WRRS Challenger CH103
508068Currents -subsurface Eulerian1993-09-10 14:30:0656.6255 N, 6.4018 WRRS Challenger CH105
508136Currents -subsurface Eulerian1993-09-10 14:30:0656.6255 N, 6.4018 WRRS Challenger CH105
508044Currents -subsurface Eulerian1994-03-14 19:30:0656.6267 N, 6.4033 WRRS Challenger CH110
508081Currents -subsurface Eulerian1994-05-09 14:45:0656.6283 N, 6.3983 WRRS Challenger CH112
508148Currents -subsurface Eulerian1994-05-09 14:45:0656.6283 N, 6.3983 WRRS Challenger CH112
508032Currents -subsurface Eulerian1994-08-15 21:15:0056.62 N, 6.4017 WRRS Challenger CH114
508204Currents -subsurface Eulerian1994-08-15 21:15:0656.62 N, 6.4017 WRRS Challenger CH114
508093Currents -subsurface Eulerian1994-11-28 13:45:1756.62 N, 6.4 WRRS Challenger CH116
508161Currents -subsurface Eulerian1994-11-28 14:15:0556.62 N, 6.4 WRRS Challenger CH116
508228Currents -subsurface Eulerian1995-04-14 14:45:0656.6183 N, 6.3933 WRRS Charles Darwin CD92B
508277Currents -subsurface Eulerian1995-04-14 14:45:0656.6183 N, 6.3933 WRRS Charles Darwin CD92B
508100Currents -subsurface Eulerian1995-07-29 14:45:0056.6177 N, 6.4062 WRRS Challenger CH120
508173Currents -subsurface Eulerian1995-07-29 14:45:0056.6177 N, 6.4062 WRRS Challenger CH120
508241Currents -subsurface Eulerian1996-01-19 18:15:0656.6217 N, 6.3883 WRRS Challenger CH124
508289Currents -subsurface Eulerian1996-01-19 18:15:0656.6217 N, 6.3883 WRRS Challenger CH124
508112Currents -subsurface Eulerian1996-05-16 19:15:0656.622 N, 6.4042 WNot applicable
508185Currents -subsurface Eulerian1996-05-16 19:15:0656.622 N, 6.4042 WNot applicable
508290Currents -subsurface Eulerian1996-09-16 15:15:0056.6217 N, 6.4083 WNot applicable
508253Currents -subsurface Eulerian1996-10-07 07:15:0056.6217 N, 6.4083 WNot applicable
508197Currents -subsurface Eulerian1997-04-30 13:15:0656.625 N, 6.4 WNot applicable
508265Currents -subsurface Eulerian1997-04-30 13:15:0656.625 N, 6.4 WNot applicable
508124Currents -subsurface Eulerian1997-07-16 12:15:0656.625 N, 6.3967 WNot applicable
508216Currents -subsurface Eulerian1997-07-16 12:15:0656.625 N, 6.3967 WNot applicable
1805084Currents -subsurface Eulerian2002-05-09 22:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1805096Currents -subsurface Eulerian2002-08-20 22:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1805047Currents -subsurface Eulerian2002-12-10 16:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1805072Currents -subsurface Eulerian2003-03-12 21:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1805059Currents -subsurface Eulerian2003-05-01 16:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1805035Currents -subsurface Eulerian2003-06-27 12:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1805060Currents -subsurface Eulerian2003-08-22 13:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804855Currents -subsurface Eulerian2004-01-15 19:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804867Currents -subsurface Eulerian2004-05-26 15:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804879Currents -subsurface Eulerian2004-12-07 18:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804880Currents -subsurface Eulerian2005-02-25 15:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804892Currents -subsurface Eulerian2005-05-03 17:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1805023Currents -subsurface Eulerian2005-06-23 23:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1805103Currents -subsurface Eulerian2005-11-22 16:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1805115Currents -subsurface Eulerian2006-04-27 22:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804911Currents -subsurface Eulerian2007-05-09 16:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804923Currents -subsurface Eulerian2007-09-28 13:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804984Currents -subsurface Eulerian2008-02-13 15:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804935Currents -subsurface Eulerian2008-09-24 19:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804996Currents -subsurface Eulerian2009-02-24 20:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804947Currents -subsurface Eulerian2009-06-03 15:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804959Currents -subsurface Eulerian2010-01-07 17:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804960Currents -subsurface Eulerian2010-09-20 17:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1804972Currents -subsurface Eulerian2011-02-16 20:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable
1805011Currents -subsurface Eulerian2011-07-21 20:00:0056.6283 N, 6.396 WNot applicable