Metadata Report for BODC Series Reference Number 33693

• 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

Type 1 Off-Shore Tide Gauge

This instrument was developed at I.O.S. Wormley. It incorporates a seabed mounted pressure transducer interfaced to a 12 channel Normalair-Garret data logger housed in a 56cm diameter aluminium pressure sphere. The frequency modulated (FM) transducer consists of a diaphragm which when flexed by changing hydrostatic pressure varies the gap of a parallel plate timing capacitor in an LC oscillator circuit. The pressure casing enclosing the transducer circuitry is evacuated so that absolute rather than relative pressure is measured. The frequency output is divided down to about 100Hz and is counted over a period of 890 seconds to average out the unwanted fluctuations due to waves: this sampling period gives 50dB (99.999 p. cent) attenuation of energy from 10 second period waves, but only 0.006dB (0.14 p. cent) attenuation of semi diurnal tidal energy.

The integration period of 890 seconds and the subsequent 10 second scanning and recording sequence are controlled by 900 second pulses from a crystal clock. The reading from each channel is recorded serially in either 3 or 4 decade BCD on 0.25 inch magnetic tape and a parity bit is added during each scan by the digital serializer. A synchronizing signal is recorded on a second track of the tape to assist in translating the magnetic tape during the data processing.

The sphere containing the data logger and interfacing electronics is mounted in a tripod frame made of tubular steel with the pressure transducer mounted on the base of the framework and beneath the sphere. The tripod is supported on a disposable heavy ballast frame consisting of welded girders and the two frames are connected by 3 corrodible magnesium alloy links and a pyrotechnic release mechanism. The recorders are deployed as pop up moorings and released by acoustic release.

IOS Calibration and Data Processing of Off-Shore Tide Gauge Data

Calibration of pressure/frequency sensors and thermistors are carried out using the facilities and staff at I.O.S. Bidston with the exception of pre 1975 pressure/frequency sensors, which were calibrated in the pressure chamber at I.O.S. Wormley.

The data are copied from the logger magnetic tape to 9 track magnetic tape and disk. The data are either listed or plotted as an initial check. A program is then used to check the data from the temperature sensor channels, calculate and plot the temperature values and store them (if temperature sensor channels are available).

A second program performs a similar function for the pressure sensor channel, using the pressure frequency coefficient to convert each pressure frequency to the frequency at the reference temperature and calculating the pressures using the pressure frequency calibration. The data values, generally at 15 minute intervals, but occasionally at 10 minute intervals, of pressure are then plotted and stored. If waterhead is required, it may be computed by subtracting atmospheric pressure and applying the hydrostatic relation:-

H = P / ( d * g )
H = waterhead (cm)
P = pressure (0.01 mb)
d = density (kg/m3)
g = gravitational acceleration (m/s2)

Station GE (Irish Sea) Data Processing Notes

Clock gained 35 seconds over 33 days, 19 hours; the cycle interval and time values have been corrected.

Instrument characteristics and calibration factors

To convert pressure to elevation the following values should be used:

Project Information

No Project Information held for the Series

Data Activity or Cruise Information

No Data Activity or Cruise Information held for the Series

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: