Metadata Report for BODC Series Reference Number 592508
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 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Data Identifiers |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Time Co-ordinates(UT) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spatial Co-ordinates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parameters |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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
Aanderaa Current Meter/Pressure Recorder
The instrument comprises a bottom mounted rig which utilises a Digiquartz sensor and an Aanderaa current meter (with the adaption of a small vane replacing the normal vane) both interfaced into a modified Aanderaa current meter logger. Current meter speed and absolute pressure count are integrated over a pre-selected period (usually 10 or 15 minutes) and sampled by the logger at the same pre-selected time interval, together with spot readings of vane direction, temperature, elapsed time and rig orientation. The pressure sensor consists of a convoluted bellows linked to a 40kHz quartz crystal resonator coupled by piezoelectric action to an electronic resonator. A quartz crystal clock is used for controlling the sampling interval.
The data are recorded on magnetic tape as 10 bit binary words in serial form with the frequency count from the pressure sensor stored as most and last significant counts. The pressure sensor pack, containing the Digiquartz type 2-300a quartz crystal pressure transducer but no temperature transducer, is mounted approximately 1m above the rig base, with the current meter 0.7m above the base. The rig is 1.5m in height and the base is formed by a tripod with legs of length approximately 0.7m. The current meter/pressure recorder is usually deployed using a U-shaped mooring (i.e. buoy or pellet float to wire rope to tide gauge to ground line to anchor to wire rope to buoy), but W-shaped moorings are used in conjunction with either current meters or thermistor chains. A W-shaped mooring comprises pellet float to pellet line to sub-surface buoy to current meter or thermistor line to anchor weight to ground line to tide gauge to ground line to anchor weight to wire rope to surface buoy.
Project Information
North Sea Project
The North Sea Project (NSP) was the first Marine Sciences Community Research project of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It evolved from a NERC review of shelf sea research, which identified the need for a concerted multidisciplinary study of circulation, transport and production.
The ultimate aim of the NERC North Sea Project was the development of a suite of prognostic water quality models to aid management of the North Sea. To progress towards water quality models, three intermediate objectives were pursued in parallel:
- Production of a 3-D transport model for any conservative passive constituent, incorporating improved representations of the necessary physics - hydrodynamics and dispersion;
- Identifying and quantifying non-conservative processes - sources and sinks determining the cycling and fate of individual constituents;
- Defining a complete seasonal cycle as a database for all the observational studies needed to formulate, drive and test models.
Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory hosted the project, which involved over 200 scientists and support staff from NERC and other Government funded laboratories, as well as seven universities and polytechnics.
The project ran from 1987 to 1992, with marine field data collection between April 1988 and October 1989. One shakedown (CH28) and fifteen survey cruises (Table 1), each lasting 12 days and following the same track, were repeated monthly. The track selected covered the summer-stratified waters of the north and the homogeneous waters in the Southern Bight in about equal lengths together with their separating frontal band from Flamborough head to Dogger Bank, the Friesian Islands and the German Bight. Mooring stations were maintained at six sites for the duration of the project.
Table 1: Details of NSP Survey Cruises on RRS Challenger | |
---|---|
Cruise No. | Date |
CH28 | 29/04/88 - 15/05/88 |
CH33 | 04/08/88 - 16/08/88 |
CH35 | 03/09/88 - 15/09/88 |
CH37 | 02/10/88 - 14/10/88 |
CH39 | 01/11/88 - 13/11/88 |
CH41 | 01/12/88 - 13/12/88 |
CH43 | 30/12/88 - 12/01/89 |
CH45 | 28/01/89 - 10/02/89 |
CH47 | 27/02/89 - 12/03/89 |
CH49 | 29/03/89 - 10/04/89 |
CH51 | 27/04/89 - 09/05/89 |
CH53 | 26/05/89 - 07/06/89 |
CH55 | 24/06/89 - 07/07/89 |
CH57 | 24/07/89 - 06/08/89 |
CH59 | 23/08/89 - 04/09/89 |
CH61 | 21/09/89 - 03/10/89 |
Alternating with the survey cruises were process study cruises (Table 2), which investigated some particular aspect of the science of the North Sea. These included fronts (nearshore, circulation and mixing), sandwaves and sandbanks, plumes (Humber, Wash, Thames and Rhine), resuspension, air-sea exchange, primary productivity and blooms/chemistry.
Table 2: Details of NSP Process cruises on RRS Challenger | ||
---|---|---|
Cruise No. | Date | Process |
CH34 | 18/08/88 - 01/09/88 | Fronts - nearshore |
CH36 | 16/09/88 - 30/09/88 | Fronts - mixing |
CH56 | 08/07/89 - 22/07/89 | Fronts - circulation |
CH58 | 07/08/89 - 21/08/89 | Fronts - mixing |
CH38 | 24/10/88 - 31/10/88 | Sandwaves |
CH40 | 15/11/88 - 29/11/88 | Sandbanks |
CH42 | 15/12/88 - 29/12/88 | Plumes/Sandbanks |
CH46 | 12/02/89 - 26/02/89 | Plumes/Sandwaves |
CH44 | 13/01/89 - 27/01/89 | Resuspension |
CH52 | 11/05/89 - 24/05/89 | Resuspension |
CH60 | 06/09/89 - 19/09/89 | Resuspension |
CH48 | 13/03/89 - 27/03/89 | Air/sea exchanges |
CH62 | 05/10/89 - 19/10/89 | Air/sea exchanges |
CH50 | 12/04/89 - 25/04/89 | Blooms/chemistry |
CH54 | 09/06/89 - 22/06/89 | Production |
In addition to the main data collection period, a series of cruises took place between October 1989 and October 1990 that followed up work done on previous cruises (Table 3). Process studies relating to blooms, plumes (Humber, Wash and Rhine), sandwaves and the flux of contaminants through the Dover Strait were carried out as well as two `survey' cruises.
Table 3: Details of NSP `Follow up' cruises on RRS Challenger | ||
---|---|---|
Cruise No. | Date | Process |
CH62A | 23/10/89 - 03/11/89 | Blooms |
CH64 | 03/04/90 - 03/05/90 | Blooms |
CH65 | 06/05/90 - 17/05/90 | Humber plume |
CH66A | 20/05/90 - 31/05/90 | Survey |
CH66B | 03/06/90 - 18/06/90 | Contaminants through Dover Strait |
CH69 | 26/07/90 - 07/08/90 | Resuspension/Plumes |
CH72A | 20/09/90 - 02/10/90 | Survey |
CH72B | 04/10/90 - 06/10/90 | Sandwaves/STABLE |
CH72C | 06/10/90 - 19/10/90 | Rhine plume |
The data collected during the observational phase of the North Sea Project comprised one of the most detailed sets of observations ever undertaken in any shallow shelf sea at that time.
Data Activity or Cruise Information
Data Activity
Start Date (yyyy-mm-dd) | 1988-11-17 |
End Date (yyyy-mm-dd) | 1988-12-16 |
Organization Undertaking Activity | Institute of Oceanographic Sciences Bidston Laboratory (now National Oceanography Centre, Liverpool) |
Country of Organization | United Kingdom |
Originator's Data Activity Identifier | RIG#C40PS2 |
Platform Category | subsurface mooring |
North Sea Project POLRIG#C40PS2
This rig was deployed as part of the NERC North Sea Project Process Study into Sandbanks at site PS2, in the Norfolk banks region of the southern North Sea.
The mooring was U-shaped, comprising a Toroid surface buoy attached to the anchor by wire, the anchor was attached by a ground line to the Current Meter / Tide Gauge, this in turn was attached to a surface float. The instruments were located 0.5m above the sea floor.
Rig position | 53° 14.85' N, 002° 17.89' E |
---|---|
Water depth | 35m |
Instrument | Parameters measured |
---|---|
PR0004 | Pressure |
Current Meter | No data available |
Fixed Station Information
Fixed Station Information
Station Name | NSP Sandbanks Experiment |
Category | Offshore location |
Latitude | 53° 1.80' N |
Longitude | 2° 11.00' E |
Water depth below MSL | 34.0 m |
NSP Sandbank Process Studies Moorings
The sandbank process studies carried out investigations into the influence of sandbanks on regional water flow patterns, including water and sand movement, in the Norfolk Banks region of the southern North Sea. It complimented a similar investigation into drag and sediment movement over sandwaves off the Dutch coast.
Moorings deployed included rigs with pressure sensors, a variety of current meters and STABLE (Sediment Transport and Boundary Layer Equipment).
The rigs deployed during this experiment lie within a box bounded by co-ordinates 53° 10.66' N, 002°4.07' E at the southwest corner and 53° 22.09' N, 002° 17.89' E at the northeast corner.
The deployment history for this station is summarised below:
Rig / Instrument Identification | Meter Type | Start Date | Data Return(Days) | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH40PS1/T284 | WR | 17Nov88 | 85.0 | |
CH40PS2/TG05 | WR | 17Nov88 | 29.0 | |
CH40B/AS7517 | CM | 17Nov88 | 9.0 | |
CH40B/AS7946 | CM | 17Nov88 | 9.0 | |
CH40B/UCM23 | CM | 17Nov88 | 8.0 | |
CH40E/AS7947 | CM | 17Nov88 | 10.0 | |
CH40F/AS2109 | CM | 17Nov88 | 10.0 | |
CH40G/AA3277 | CM | 16Nov88 | 10.0 | |
CH40G/UCM20 | CM | 16Nov88 | 10.0 | |
CH40H/AA3559 | CM | 16Nov88 | 10.0 | |
CH40H/UCM22 | CM | 16Nov88 | 10.0 | |
CH40/STABLE1 | SM | 19Nov88 | 3.0 | One minute mean data for current speed and pressure only. |
Where
- WR = Water Level Recorder
- CM = Current Meter
- SM = STABLE
Related Fixed Station activities are detailed in Appendix 1
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: NSP Sandbanks Experiment
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 Identifier | Data Category | Start date/time | Start position | Cruise |
---|---|---|---|---|
592489 | Offshore sea floor pressure series | 1988-11-17 19:37:30 | 53.3682 N, 2.0678 E | Not applicable |
611514 | Currents -subsurface Eulerian | 1988-11-19 13:11:00 | 53.2408 N, 2.2447 E | Not applicable |
813191 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-19 20:18:00 | 53.22317 N, 2.241 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813209 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 10:37:00 | 53.30583 N, 2.13117 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813210 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 11:30:00 | 53.30867 N, 2.14333 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813222 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 12:03:00 | 53.31183 N, 2.1495 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813234 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 12:48:00 | 53.31367 N, 2.16133 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813246 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 13:54:00 | 53.31483 N, 2.16133 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813258 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 14:37:00 | 53.327 N, 2.181 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813271 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 15:12:00 | 53.33483 N, 2.19233 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813283 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 16:12:00 | 53.34433 N, 2.21217 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813295 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 16:58:00 | 53.35017 N, 2.2245 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813302 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 17:53:00 | 53.265 N, 2.23617 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813314 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 18:40:00 | 53.27483 N, 2.254 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813326 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 19:20:00 | 53.293 N, 2.2645 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813664 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 19:56:00 | 53.30383 N, 2.27817 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813338 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 21:09:00 | 53.227 N, 2.22917 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813351 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 21:34:00 | 53.22883 N, 2.23133 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813363 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 22:11:00 | 53.22483 N, 2.23417 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813375 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 22:50:00 | 53.22183 N, 2.233 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813387 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-20 23:36:00 | 53.227 N, 2.2375 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813399 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 00:11:00 | 53.22583 N, 2.23133 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813406 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 00:34:00 | 53.231 N, 2.22717 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813418 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 01:04:00 | 53.22067 N, 2.244 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813431 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 01:34:00 | 53.22633 N, 2.23717 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813443 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 02:03:00 | 53.22633 N, 2.243 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813455 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 02:34:00 | 53.22267 N, 2.24467 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813467 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 03:04:00 | 53.227 N, 2.2405 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813479 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 03:33:00 | 53.22317 N, 2.24433 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813480 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 04:04:00 | 53.22383 N, 2.245 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813492 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 04:34:00 | 53.2265 N, 2.243 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813511 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 05:06:00 | 53.22433 N, 2.23817 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813523 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 05:35:00 | 53.22383 N, 2.24533 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813535 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 06:04:00 | 53.223 N, 2.244 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813547 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 06:37:00 | 53.228 N, 2.23683 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813559 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 07:03:00 | 53.22267 N, 2.24283 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813560 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 07:34:00 | 53.22317 N, 2.24667 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813676 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 07:45:00 | 53.22083 N, 2.2475 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813572 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 08:07:00 | 53.22383 N, 2.239 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813584 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 08:38:00 | 53.22817 N, 2.23233 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813596 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 09:09:00 | 53.2285 N, 2.23133 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813603 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 10:25:00 | 53.23583 N, 2.2265 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813615 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 11:51:00 | 53.22533 N, 2.232 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |
813688 | CTD or STD cast | 1988-11-21 12:57:00 | 53.26333 N, 2.1985 E | RRS Challenger CH40 |