Metadata Report for BODC Series Reference Number 2046306

• 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

SEAL Analytical QuAAtro colorimetric autoanalyser

The SEAL QuAAtro high Performance Microflow Analyzer is the latest generation of the original world-class Technicon^TM Segmented Flow Analysis (SFA) systems.

A basic SFA system consists of an autosampler, a peristaltic pump, a chemistry manifold, a detector and data acquisition software. Sample and reagents are pumped continuously through the chemistry manifold. Air bubbles are introduced at regular intervals forming unique reaction segments which are mixed using glass coils. Glass is ideal, as it is inert, stays clean and enables easy visual checks.

In SFA, reactions run to completion and the ratio of sample to reagents in the detector reaches a constant maximum value. This results in ultra-low detection limits and exceptional reproducibility. Variations in reaction time, temperature and sample matrix do not affect the results as they do in other colorimetric techniques, such as flow injection analysis, where the reaction is not brought to completion.

QuAAtro is a microflow SFA system, the internal diameter of all glassware being 1 mm. This reduces reagent consumption and increases throughput, with most methods running at 100 - 120 samples hour. The integrated enclosed manifold and detector are heated to 37 °C. Flow stability is ensured as the optimal bubble frequency for each method is programmed by silent air valves. Automatic start-up, method changeover and shutdown allows true unattended operation and overnight running. QuAAtro checks its own performance, with automatic monitoring of noise, drift, bubble pattern and light energy, before and during a run.

Up to four methods can run at the same time on one console, and there is a special 5-channel version for nutrients in seawater. Two consoles can be combined to give an 8-channel system.

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

Niskin Bottle

The Niskin bottle is a device used by oceanographers to collect subsurface seawater samples. It is a plastic bottle with caps and rubber seals at each end and is deployed with the caps held open, allowing free-flushing of the bottle as it moves through the water column.

Standard Niskin

The standard version of the bottle includes a plastic-coated metal spring or elastic cord running through the interior of the bottle that joins the two caps, and the caps are held open against the spring by plastic lanyards. When the bottle reaches the desired depth the lanyards are released by a pressure-actuated switch, command signal or messenger weight and the caps are forced shut and sealed, trapping the seawater sample.

Lever Action Niskin

The Lever Action Niskin Bottle differs from the standard version, in that the caps are held open during deployment by externally mounted stainless steel springs rather than an internal spring or cord. Lever Action Niskins are recommended for applications where a completely clear sample chamber is critical or for use in deep cold water.

Clean Sampling

A modified version of the standard Niskin bottle has been developed for clean sampling. This is teflon-coated and uses a latex cord to close the caps rather than a metal spring. The clean version of the Levered Action Niskin bottle is also teflon-coated and uses epoxy covered springs in place of the stainless steel springs. These bottles are specifically designed to minimise metal contamination when sampling trace metals.

Deployment

Bottles may be deployed singly clamped to a wire or in groups of up to 48 on a rosette. Standard bottles and Lever Action bottles have a capacity between 1.7 and 30 L. Reversing thermometers may be attached to a spring-loaded disk that rotates through 180° on bottle closure.

Inorganic Nutrient Samples for Cruise DY130

Originator's Protocol for Data Acquisition and Analysis

DY130 had a total of 14 CTD stations with nutrient bottle samples obtained from these casts using 20L niskin bottles. There were also 24 samples taken from the non-toxic supply for nutrient analysis.

Samples were transferred from Niskin bottles into pre-labelled 120ml HDPE bottles which were acid washed and rinsed 3 times with water from the same Niskin. The samples were then immediately frozen upright at -20°C before analysis.

The samples were analysed using SEAL Quattro at National Oceanographic Centre, Southampton using the following methodology:

Samples were decanted into 15 ml sterile falcon tubes and measured from the lowest to the highest concentration (surface to deep) to reduce any carry over effects. Milli-Q water was used for the baseline and wash solution during each run. All unique sampling depths were sampled. Underway samples were measured in order of collection.
Seal Analytical chemistry and cleaning procedure protocols used during DY130 were:

1. Silicate in seawater method No. Q-066-05 Rev. 5
2. Phosphate in water method No. Q-064-05 Rev. 8
3. Nitrate and nitrite in seawater method No. Q-068-05 Rev.11
4. Nitrite in seawater method No. Q-070-05 Rev. 6

BODC Data Processing Procedures

Data received were loaded into the BODC database using established BODC data banking procedures, and any originator flags were mapped to standard BODC flags. A parameter mapping table is provided below:

Project Information

Marine LTSS: CLASS (Climate Linked Atlantic Sector Science)

Introduction

CLASS is a five year (2018 to 2023) programme, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and extended until March 2024.

Scientific Rationale

The ocean plays a vital role in sustaining life on planet Earth, providing us with both living resources and climate regulation. The trajectory of anthropogenically driven climate change will be substantially controlled by the ocean due to its absorption of excess heat and carbon from the atmosphere, with consequent impacts on ocean resources that remain poorly understood. In an era of rapid planetary change, expanding global population and intense resource exploitation, it is vital that there are internationally coordinated ocean observing and prediction systems so policy makers can make sound evidence-based decisions about how to manage our interaction with the ocean. CLASS will underpin the UK contribution to these systems, documenting and understanding change in the marine environment, evaluating the impact of climate change and effectiveness of conservation measures and predicting the future evolution of marine environments. Over the five-year period CLASS will enhance the cost-effectiveness of observing systems by migrating them towards cutting edge autonomous technologies and developing new sensors. Finally, CLASS will create effective engagement activities ensuring academic partners have transparent access to NERC marine science capability through graduate training partnerships and access to shipborne, lab based and autonomous facilities, and modelling capabilities.

Data Activity or Cruise Information

Data Activity

BODC Sample Metadata Report for DY130_CTD_DY130-016

Please note:the supplied parameters may not have been sampled from all the bottle firings described in the table above. Cross-match the Sample Reference Number above against the SAMPRFNM value in the data file to identify the relevant metadata.

Related Data Activity activities are detailed in Appendix 1

Cruise

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:

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: DY130_CTD_DY130-016

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.