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Metadata Report for BODC Series Reference Number 1964988


Metadata Summary

Data Description

Data Category Surface temp/sal
Instrument Type
NameCategories
WET Labs {Sea-Bird WETLabs} WETStar fluorometer  fluorometers
WET Labs {Sea-Bird WETLabs} C-Star transmissometer  transmissometers
Sea-Bird SBE 45 MicroTSG thermosalinograph  thermosalinographs; water temperature sensor; salinity sensor
Sea-Bird SBE 38 thermometer  water temperature sensor
Instrument Mounting research vessel
Originating Country United Kingdom
Originator Unknown
Originating Organization British Oceanographic Data Centre, Liverpool
Processing Status banked
Online delivery of data Download available - Ocean Data View (ODV) format
Project(s) COMICS
 

Data Identifiers

Originator's Identifier DY090_PROD_SURF
BODC Series Reference 1964988
 

Time Co-ordinates(UT)

Start Time (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm) 2018-05-23 07:51
End Time (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm) 2018-06-27 11:55
Nominal Cycle Interval 60.0 seconds
 

Spatial Co-ordinates

Southernmost Latitude 34.07550 S ( 34° 4.5' S )
Northernmost Latitude 17.85200 S ( 17° 51.1' S )
Westernmost Longitude 9.16867 E ( 9° 10.1' E )
Easternmost Longitude 17.97217 E ( 17° 58.3' E )
Positional Uncertainty 0.0 to 0.01 n.miles
Minimum Sensor or Sampling Depth 5.5 m
Maximum Sensor or Sampling Depth 5.5 m
Minimum Sensor or Sampling Height -
Maximum Sensor or Sampling Height -
Sea Floor Depth -
Sea Floor Depth Source -
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 Approximate - Depth is only approximate
Sea Floor Depth Datum -
 

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)
ALATGP011DegreesLatitude north relative to WGS84 by unspecified GPS system
ALONGP011DegreesLongitude east relative to WGS84 by unspecified GPS system
ATTNDR011per metreAttenuation (red light wavelength) per unit length of the water body by 25cm path length red light transmissometer
CNDCSG011Siemens per metreElectrical conductivity of the water body by thermosalinograph
CPHLUMTF1Milligrams per cubic metreConcentration of chlorophyll-a {chl-a CAS 479-61-8} per unit volume of the water body [particulate >unknown phase] by through-flow fluorometer plumbed into non-toxic supply and manufacturer's calibration applied
FVLTWS011VoltsRaw signal (voltage) of instrument output by linear-response chlorophyll fluorometer
POPTDR011PercentTransmittance (red light wavelength) per 25cm of the water body by 25cm path length red light transmissometer
PSALSU011DimensionlessPractical salinity of the water body by thermosalinograph and computation using UNESCO 1983 algorithm and NO calibration against independent measurements
TEMPHU011Degrees CelsiusTemperature of the water body by thermosalinograph hull sensor and NO verification against independent measurements
TMESSG011Degrees CelsiusTemperature of electrical conductivity measurement by thermosalinograph
TVLTDR011VoltsRaw signal (voltage) of instrument output by 25cm path length red light transmissometer

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

ATTNDR01

The Transmittance channel is very poor and the entire dataset has been flagged. Despite the sensor being cleaned regularly, large amounts of arbitrary decline is observed throughout the dataset. The signal would correct after cleaning and decrease exponentially with time. This is most likely due to trapped bubbles. In addition, there are noisy periods observed at points throughout the dataset. Spiking from when the non-toxic supply has been switched off for cleaning and spiking from sensor malfunction were also flagged.

POPTDR01

The Transmittance channel is very poor and the entire dataset has been flagged. Despite the sensor being cleaned regularly, large amounts of arbitrary decline is observed throughout the dataset. The signal would correct after cleaning and decrease exponentially with time. This is most likely due to trapped bubbles. In addition, there are noisy periods observed at points throughout the dataset. Spiking from when the non-toxic supply has been switched off for cleaning and spiking from sensor malfunction were also flagged.

TVLTDR01

The Transmittance channel is very poor and the entire dataset has been flagged. Despite the sensor being cleaned regularly, large amounts of arbitrary decline is observed throughout the dataset. The signal would correct after cleaning and decrease exponentially with time. This is most likely due to trapped bubbles. In addition, there are noisy periods observed at points throughout the dataset. Spiking from when the non-toxic supply has been switched off for cleaning and spiking from sensor malfunction were also flagged.

RRS Discovery DY090 Surface Hydrography Quality Control Report

Fluorescence

Other than when the non-toxic supply has been switched off for cleaning and the sensor malfunctions, the fluorometer data appears to be good.

SST and housing temperature, conductivity and salinity

The housing temperature readings are slightly (~0.5°C) warmer than the remote temperature values and features a 5 minute delay. To account for the time delay, the remote temperature channel was flagged to account for this time difference.

Salinity and conductivity channels look good and were flagged when the channel was getting cleaned and when obvious anomalous data was present as a result of sensor malfunctions.

RRS Discovery Surface Hydrography Quality Control Report

Sea Surface Temperature

The remote underway sea surface temperature data readings have been found to display a consistent variable offset when compared to CTD temperature readings at the same depth. As this is a general occurance, the remote underway temperature data should be used with caution if they have not been calibrated against in situ CTD temperature values.


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

RRS Discovery Cruise DY090 Underway Document

Cruise Details

Cruise Details 23rd May 2018 - 28th June 2018 (UTC)
Principal Scientific Officer Dr. Stephanie Henson (National Oceanography Centre, Southampton)

SeaBird Digital Oceanographic Thermometer SBE38

The SBE38 is an ultra-stable thermistor that can be integrated as a remote temperature sensor with an SBE21 Thermosalinograph or an SBE 45 Micro TSG, or as a secondary temperature sensor with an SBE 16 plus, 16plus-IM, 16plus V2, 16plus-IM V2 or 19plus V2 SEACAT CTD.

Temperature is determined by applying an AC excitation to reference resistances and an ultra-stable aged thermistor. The reference resistor is a hermetically sealed VISHAY. AC excitation and ratiometric comparison using a common processing channel removes measurement errors due to parasitic thermocouples, offset voltages, leakage currents and gain errors.

The SBE38 can operate in polled sampling, where it takes one sample and transmits the data, or in continuous sampling.

Specifications

Depth rating up to 10500 m
Temperature range -5 to 35°C
Initial accuracy ± 0.001°C
Resolution 0.00025°C
Stability 0.001°C in 6 months
Response time 500 ms
Self-heating error < 200 µK

Further details can be found in the manufacturer's specification sheet.

WET Labs WETStar Fluorometers

WET Labs WETStar fluorometers are miniature flow-through fluorometers, designed to measure relative concentrations of chlorophyll, CDOM, uranine, rhodamineWT dye, or phycoerythrin pigment in a sample of water. The sample is pumped through a quartz tube, and excited by a light source tuned to the fluorescence characteristics of the object substance. A photodiode detector measures the portion of the excitation energy that is emitted as fluorescence.

Specifications

By model:

  Chlorophyll WETStar CDOM WETStar Uranine WETStar Rhodamine WETStar Phycoerythrin WETStar
Excitation wavelength 460 nm 370 nm 485 nm 470 nm 525 nm
Emission wavelength 695 nm 460 nm 530 nm 590 nm 575 nm
Sensitivity 0.03 µg l-1 0.100 ppb QSD 1 µg l-1 - -
Range 0.03-75 µg l-1 0-100 ppb; 0-250 ppb 0-4000 µg l-1 - -

All models:

Temperature range 0-30°C
Depth rating 600 m
Response time 0.17 s analogue; 0.125 s digital
Output 0-5 VDC analogue; 0-4095 counts digital

Further details can be found in the manufacturer's specification sheet, and in the instrument manual.

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.

RRS Discovery DY090 Surface Hydrography Instrumentation

Instrumentation

The sea surface hydrographical suite of sensors was fed by the pumped-seawater, non-toxic supply. The depth of the seawater intake was at 5.5 m.

The following surface hydrology sensors were fitted:

Manufacturer Model Serial number Last manufacturer's calibration date Comments
WETLabs WS3S Fluorimeter WS3S WS3S-117 21/02/2018  
Surf Trans: Wetlabs CST Wetlabs CST CST-1132PR 12/12/2016  
Sea-Bird SBE38 Temperature SBE38 3854115-0490 07/07/2017  
Sea-Bird SBE45 TSG 4548881-0230 05/01/2017  

SeaBird MicroTSG Thermosalinograph SBE 45

The SBE45 MicroTSG is an externally powered instrument designed for shipboard measurement of temperature and conductivity of pumped near-surface water samples. The instrument can also compute salinity and sound velocity internally.

The MicroTSG comprises a platinum-electrode glass conductivity cell and a stable, pressure-protected thermistor temperature sensor. It also contains an RS-232 port for appending the output of a remote temperature sensor, allowing for direct measurement of sea surface temperature.

The instrument can operate in Polled, Autonomous and Serial Line Sync sampling modes:

  • Polled sampling: the instrument takes one sample on command
  • Autonomous sampling: the instrument samples at preprogrammed intervals and does not enter quiescence (sleep) state between samples
  • Serial Line Sync: a pulse on the serial line causes the instrument to wake up, sample and re-enter quiescent state automatically

Specifications

  Conductivity Temperature Salinity
Range 0 to 7 Sm-1 -5 to 35°C  
Initial accuracy 0.0003 Sm-1 0.002°C 0.005 (typical)
Resolution 0.00001 Sm-1 0.0001°C 0.0002 (typical)
Typical stability (per month) 0.0003 Sm-1 0.0002°C 0.003 (typical)

Further details can be found in the manufacturer's specification sheet.

RRS Discovery DY090 Surface Hydrography Data Processing Procedures

Originator's Data Processing

The data were logged by the TECHSAS (TECHnical and Scientific sensors Acquisition System) data logging system into daily NetCDF files which were provided to BODC for processing. Data was additionally logged into the RVS Level-C format which have been archived at BODC.

Files delivered to BODC

Filename Content description Format Interval Start date/time (UTC) End date/time (UTC) Comments
yyyymmdd-000000-Surf-DY-SM_DY1.SURFMETv2 Fluorescence and transmittance NetCDF 1 sec. 21-May-2018 13:11:12 27-Jun-2018 11:57:22  
yyyymmdd-000000-SBE45-SBE45_DY1.TSG Housing Temperature, remote temperature, salinity and conductivity NetCDF 1 sec. 21-May-2018 13:11:12 27-Jun-2018 11:57:22  

BODC Data Processing

The files were reformatted to BODC internal format using standard data banking procedures. All files were averaged to 60 second intervals. The following table shows how the variables within the files were mapped to appropriate BODC parameter codes:

yyyymmdd-000000-Surf-DY-SM_DY1.SURFMETv2

Originator's variable Originator's units Description BODC Code BODC Units Unit conversion Comments
trans volts Raw voltage measured by transmissometer TVLTDR01 volts none  
fluo volt Raw voltage measured by fluorometer FVLTWS01 volt none  
temp_h degrees celcius Housing water temperature       Not transferred
temp_m degrees celcius Remote temperature       Not transferred
cond s/m Conductivity       Not transferred
time days since 1899-12-30 00:00:00 UTC Acquisition time       Not transferred

yyyymmdd-000000-SBE45-SBE45_DY1.TSG

Originator's variable Originator's units Description BODC Code BODC Units Unit conversion Comments
salin dimensionless TSG salinity PSALSU01 dimensionless none  
temp_h degrees celcius Housing water temperature TMESSG01 degrees celcius none  
cond s/m Conductivity CNDCSG01 s/m none  
temp_r degrees celcius Remote water temperature TEMPHU01 degrees celcius none  
time days since 1899-12-30 00:00:00 UTC Acquisition time       Not transferred
sndspeed m/s TSG sound velocity       Not transferred

All the reformatted data were visualised using the in-house EDSERPLO software. Suspect data were marked by adding an appropriate quality control flag.

Calibration

Field Calibrations

No field calibrations have been applied.

Manufacturers Calibrations

Transmissometer

The transmissometer voltage channel was converted to beam transmission ( beamtrans ) and beam attenuation ( atten ) as follows:

beamtrans [%] = ([ volts - Vdark ] / [ Vref - Vdark ])100

atten [per m] = (-1/ pathlength ) ln( beamtrans /100)

where Vdark = 0.058 V, Vref = 4.650 V and pathlength = 0.25 m.

Fluorometer

The fluorescence voltage channel was converted to engineering units ( chla ) using the following calibration:

chla [µg/L]= SF ( volts - CWO )

where SF = 5.1 µg/L/V and CWO = 0.070 V.


Project Information

Controls over Ocean Mesopelagic Interior Carbon Storage: COMICS

COMICS is a four-year collaborative research project that aims to quantify the flow of carbon in the ocean?s ?twilight? zone in order to accurately model global climate change. This ?twilight? zone is the part of the ocean between 100m and 1000m below the sea surface, where only a small amount of light from the sun can still penetrate.

By investigating carbon dynamics in the ocean interior, COMICS will help to improve predictions of future global climate change.

The COMICS project is led by the National Oceanography Centre and is a collaboration between the British Antarctic Survey and the universities of Queen Mary London, Liverpool, Oxford and Southampton. The project received funding from the Natural Environmental Research Council and runs between April 2017 and 2021.


Data Activity or Cruise Information

Cruise

Cruise Name DY090
Departure Date 2018-05-23
Arrival Date 2018-06-28
Principal Scientist(s)Stephanie Henson (National Oceanography Centre, Southampton)
Ship RRS Discovery

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