Metadata Report for BODC Series Reference Number 580704
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
Data Description |
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Time Co-ordinates(UT) |
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Parameters |
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Problem Reports
No Problem Report Found in the Database
Data quality
The temperature channel is noisy throught the dataset and there is a gradual increase in values from start to finish. This data should be used with caution.
Data Access Policy
Public domain 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.
The recommended acknowledgment is
"This study uses data from the data source/organisation/programme, provided by the British Oceanographic Data Centre and funded by the funding body."
Narrative Documents
SonTek Argonaut-MD Acoustic Doppler Current Meter
This instrument is a 3D, vector averaging current meter with low power consumption allowing deployments of up to 2 years. It does not require calibration, has no moving parts, no threshold velocity and can be fitted with optional pressure and temperature sensors, Sea-Bird SeaCAT or an inductive modem. It uses a fixed measurement volume centered 1.25 m from the instrument for 3 MHz systems (2.0 m for 1.5 MHz systems) and is housed in a single canister (either Deltrin or Titanium) with internal memory and batteries. It can be clamped to the mooring line or mounted within a mooring cage.
Standard Features
- Optimized 45° slant, 120° orthogonal beam geometry for 3D current measurements without directional bias
- 1.5 MHz acoustic frequency
- 600 m rated Delrin housing with 40mm transducers
- Reflected echo intensity output
- RS 232 communication protocol
- ViewArgonaut Windows software allowing real time data collection, data retrieval, diagnostics and processing
- Internal memory
- Compass/tilt sensor
- Internal alkaline battery pack
Optional Features
- 6000m rated titanium housing with 40mm ceramics
- 20 mm transducers (Delrin only)
- Integrated external CT sensor
- Integrated internal inductive modem
- Mounting clamps
- Internal piezoresistive pressure sensor
- In-line load cage
- RS 422 communications protocol
Specifications
| Velocity | |
|---|---|
| Range | ± 6 m/s |
| Resolution | 0.1 cm/s |
| Accuracy | ± 1% of measured velocity, ± 0.5 cm/s |
| Data Output | User programmable from 10 seconds to 12 hours |
| Temperature Sensor | |
| Resolution | 0.01°C |
| Accuracy | ± 0.1°C |
| Compass/Tilt Sensor | |
| Resolution | Heading, Pitch, Roll 0.1° |
| Accuracy | Heading ± 2° |
| Accuracy | Pitch, Roll ± 1° |
| Physical and Environmental | |
| Operating temperature | -5°C to 40°C |
| Storage Temperature | -10°C to 50°C |
| Weight in air | 5.6 kg/12.5 lb (Delrin housing) |
| 11.8 kg/26 lb (Titanium housing) | |
| Power | |
| Input power | 6-16 VDC |
| Typical power consumption | 0.2-03 W (continuous operation) |
| 0.001 W (stand-by) | |
| Battery capacity (alkaline) | 368 W-hr |
Further information is available at http://www.sontek.com or can be found in the manufacturer's specification sheet.
BODC processing
The data were provided to BODC in ascii format and were transferred to qxf format by BODC produced Matlab transfer 136. The full dataset was made up of velocity vectors in both the North/South direction and the East/West direction and temperature readings. The transfer converted the velocities to current speed and direction.
The vectors were resolved during transfer so no user activity is required for this conversion. The variables were then mapped to the appropriate BODC parameter code which can be seen below:
| Variable | Units | BODC parameter code | Units | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current speed | n/a | LCSAEL01 | cms-1 | Speed generated from appropriate given vectors |
| Current Direction | n/a | LCDAEL01 | cms-1 | Speed generated from appropriate given vectors |
| Temperature | deg C | TEMPPR01 | deg C | - |
Following the transfer the data was screened using the BODC in-house visualisation software, EDSERPLO. Any suspect data points were flagged with the appropriate BODC flag code.
Originator's data processing
The data from the Vemco Miniloggers were merged to form "pseudo" thermistor chain records prior to being supplied to BODC.
FRS applied the standard manufaturers' calibrations to all data, and produced ascii files for submission to BODC.
Project Information
No Project Information held for the Series
Data Activity or Cruise Information
Data Activity
| Start Date (yyyy-mm-dd) | 2001-04-05 |
| End Date (yyyy-mm-dd) | 2001-07-18 |
| Organization Undertaking Activity | Fisheries Research Services Aberdeen Marine Laboratory (now Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Country of Organization | United Kingdom |
| Originator's Data Activity Identifier | 659 |
| Platform Category | subsurface mooring |
FRS moored SonTek Argonaut MD current meter from off Loch Torridon
A moored SonTek Argonaut MD was deployed by Fisheries Research Services (FRS) off Loch Torridon (57.52067° N, 5.6625° W) on 05/04/01 as part of the Clupea 0501c cruise, and recovered on 18/07/01 by the Clupea 0901c cruise. The station had a nominal water depth of 28 m. The SonTek Argonaut had a sampling period of 20 minutes. The data were supplied as current meter records at a depth of 3 m.
The mooring consisted of the following instruments.
| Instrument type | Series Number | Serial Number | Deployment start | Deployment end | Instrument depth (m) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SonTek MD Argonaut | 6591 | 27 | 05/04/2001 | 18/07/2001 | 3 | - |
Cruise
| Cruise Name | 0501C |
| Departure Date | 2001-04-02 |
| Arrival Date | 2001-04-11 |
| Principal Scientist(s) | Phil A Gillibrand (Fisheries Research Services Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Ship | FRV Clupea |
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 |
