Metadata Report for BODC Series Reference Number 653418
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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Parameters |
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Problem Reports
No Problem Report Found in the Database
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
Instrument Description
CTD Unit and Auxiliary Sensors
A Sea-Bird Electronics SBE 917 Plus CTD unit (see page 4 of SBE 911 plus documentation) was used. Water samples were collected with a 1.7 litre Knudsen reversing bottle attached to the CTD wire and fired using a messenger. The CTD unit included the following sensors.
| Sensor | Manufacturer | Model | Serial number | Calibration date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure | Paroscientific | Digiquartz 410K-105 | 70777 | 2003-09-15 |
| Temperature | Sea-Bird | 3plus | 2577 | 2003-09-15 |
| Conductivity | Sea-Bird | 4C | 2167 | 2003-09-15 |
| Fluorometer | Seapoint | Chlorophyll Fluorometer | 2131 | 1997-10-02 |
| Transmissometer | Wet Labs | C-star | 222DR | 1998-10-16 |
| PAR | Chelsea | PAR Irradiance Meter | 46071 | 2002-07-02 |
| PAR | Chelsea | PAR Irradiance Meter | 46072 | 2002-07-02 |
Sea-Bird Electronics SBE 911 and SBE 917 series CTD profilers
The SBE 911 and SBE 917 series of conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) units are used to collect hydrographic profiles, including temperature, conductivity and pressure as standard. Each profiler consists of an underwater unit and deck unit or SEARAM. Auxiliary sensors, such as fluorometers, dissolved oxygen sensors and transmissometers, and carousel water samplers are commonly added to the underwater unit.
Underwater unit
The CTD underwater unit (SBE 9 or SBE 9 plus) comprises a protective cage (usually with a carousel water sampler), including a main pressure housing containing power supplies, acquisition electronics, telemetry circuitry, and a suite of modular sensors. The original SBE 9 incorporated Sea-Bird's standard modular SBE 3 temperature sensor and SBE 4 conductivity sensor, and a Paroscientific Digiquartz pressure sensor. The conductivity cell was connected to a pump-fed plastic tubing circuit that could include auxiliary sensors. Each SBE 9 unit was custom built to individual specification. The SBE 9 was replaced in 1997 by an off-the-shelf version, termed the SBE 9 plus, that incorporated the SBE 3 plus (or SBE 3P) temperature sensor, SBE 4C conductivity sensor and a Paroscientific Digiquartz pressure sensor. Sensors could be connected to a pump-fed plastic tubing circuit or stand-alone.
Temperature, conductivity and pressure sensors
The conductivity, temperature, and pressure sensors supplied with Sea-Bird CTD systems have outputs in the form of variable frequencies, which are measured using high-speed parallel counters. The resulting count totals are converted to numeric representations of the original frequencies, which bear a direct relationship to temperature, conductivity or pressure. Sampling frequencies for these sensors are typically set at 24 Hz.
The temperature sensing element is a glass-coated thermistor bead, pressure-protected inside a stainless steel tube, while the conductivity sensing element is a cylindrical, flow-through, borosilicate glass cell with three internal platinum electrodes. Thermistor resistance or conductivity cell resistance, respectively, is the controlling element in an optimized Wien Bridge oscillator circuit, which produces a frequency output that can be converted to a temperature or conductivity reading. These sensors are available with depth ratings of 6800 m (aluminium housing) or 10500 m (titanium housing). The Paroscientific Digiquartz pressure sensor comprises a quartz crystal resonator that responds to pressure-induced stress, and temperature is measured for thermal compensation of the calculated pressure.
Additional sensors
Optional sensors for dissolved oxygen, pH, light transmission, fluorescence and others do not require the very high levels of resolution needed in the primary CTD channels, nor do these sensors generally offer variable frequency outputs. Accordingly, signals from the auxiliary sensors are acquired using a conventional voltage-input multiplexed A/D converter (optional). Some Sea-Bird CTDs use a strain gauge pressure sensor (Senso-Metrics) in which case their pressure output data is in the same form as that from the auxiliary sensors as described above.
Deck unit or SEARAM
Each underwater unit is connected to a power supply and data logging system: the SBE 11 (or SBE 11 plus) deck unit allows real-time interfacing between the deck and the underwater unit via a conductive wire, while the submersible SBE 17 (or SBE 17 plus) SEARAM plugs directly into the underwater unit and data are downloaded on recovery of the CTD. The combination of SBE 9 and SBE 17 or SBE 11 are termed SBE 917 or SBE 911, respectively, while the combinations of SBE 9 plus and SBE 17 plus or SBE 11 plus are termed SBE 917 plus or SBE 911 plus.
Specifications
Specifications for the SBE 9 plus underwater unit are listed below:
| Parameter | Range | Initial accuracy | Resolution at 24 Hz | Response time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | -5 to 35°C | 0.001°C | 0.0002°C | 0.065 sec |
| Conductivity | 0 to 7 S m-1 | 0.0003 S m-1 | 0.00004 S m-1 | 0.065 sec (pumped) |
| Pressure | 0 to full scale (1400, 2000, 4200, 6800 or 10500 m) | 0.015% of full scale | 0.001% of full scale | 0.015 sec |
Further details can be found in the manufacturer's specification sheet.
Seapoint Chlorophyll Fluorometer
The Seapoint Chlorophyll Fluorometer (SCF) is a low power instrument for in situ measurements of chlorophyll a. The SCF uses modulated blue LED lamps and a blue excitation filter to excite chlorophyll a. The fluorescent light emitted by the chlorophyll a passes through a red emission filter and is detected by a silicon photodiode. The low level signal is then processed using synchronous demodulation circuitry which generates an output voltage proportional to chlorophyll a concentration. The SCF may be operated with or without a pump.
Sensor specifications, current at August 2006, are given in the table below. More information can be found at the manufacturer's web site.
Sensor Specifications
| Power requirements | 8 - 20 VDC, 15 mA avg., 27 mA pk. |
|---|---|
| Output | 0 - 5.0 VDC |
| Output Time Constant | 0.1 sec. |
| Power-up transient period | < 1 sec. |
| Excitation Wavelength | 470 nm CWL, 30 nm FWHM |
| Emission Wavelength | 685 nm CWL, 30 nm FWHM |
| Sensing Volume | 340 mm3 |
| Minimum Detectable Level | 0.02 µg l-1 |
| Gain | Sensitivity, V µg-1 l-1 | Range, µg l-1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity/Range | 30x 10x 3x 1x | 1.0 0.33 0.1 0.033 | 5 15 50 150 |
Chelsea Technologies Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) Irradiance Sensor
This sensor was originally designed to assist the study of marine photosynthesis. With the use of logarithmic amplication, the sensor covers a range of 6 orders of magnitude, which avoids setting up the sensor range for the expected signal level for different ambient conditions.
The sensor consists of a hollow PTFE 2-pi collector supported by a clear acetal dome diverting light to a filter and photodiode from which a cosine response is obtained. The sensor can be used in moorings, profiling or deployed in towed vehicles and can measure both upwelling and downwelling light.
Specifications
| Operation depth | 1000 m |
| Range | 2000 to 0.002 µE m-2 s-1 |
| Angular Detection Range | ± 130° from normal incidence |
| Relative Spectral Sensitivity | flat to ± 3% from 450 to 700 nm down 8% of 400 nm and 36% at 350 nm |
Further details can be found in the manufacturer's specification sheet.
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.
BODC Processing
Data were received by BODC in one ASCII format file that was subsequently split into 21 separate files, one for each CTD profile. The series were reformatted to the internal QXF format using BODC transfer function 340. Sample calibrations were applied to the conductivity and fluorescence data. The following table details the mapping of variables to BODC parameter codes.
| Original parameter name | Original Units | Description | BODC Parameter Code | BODC Units | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure | Decibars | Pressure exerted by the water column | PRESPR01 | Decibars | |
| Temperature | °C | Temperature of the water column | TEMPST01 | °C | |
| Conductivity | mS cm-1 | Electrical conductivity of the water column | CNDCST01 | S m-1 | Conversion by transfer (mS cm-1 x 0.1) |
| Salinity | Salinity of the water column | PSALST01 | Dimensionless | Derived by transfer using UNESCO 1983 algorithm | |
| Fluorescence | µg l-1 | In-situ fluorescence | CPHLPM01 | mg m-3 | |
| Fluorescence | µg l-1 | In-situ fluorescence with field sample calibration applied | CPHLPS01 | mg m-3 | Sample calibrations applied to raw fluorescence by transfer |
| Beam attenuation | m-1 | Attenuance of the water column | ATTNMR01 | m-1 | |
| Downwelling PAR | Volts | Downwelling vector irradiance in the water column | IRRDUV01 | µEinstein m-2 s-1 | Derived from raw voltages by transfer using manufacturer's calibrations |
| Upwelling PAR | Volts | Upwelling vector irradiance in the water column | IRRUUV01 | µEinstein m-2 s-1 | Derived from raw voltages by transfer using manufacturer's calibrations |
Following transfer to QXF, the data were screened using BODC's in-house visualisation software, EDSERPLO. Any data considered as suspect were flagged 'M'. Flags from the originator marking suspect data were retained during transfer and flagged 'L'.
Originator's Data Processing
Sampling Strategy
A total of 21 CTD casts was performed on FRV Clupea cruise 1704C (17 November 2004 - 01 December 2004) in sea lochs in northwest Scotland. The data were collected between 09:00 hours and 16:00 hours hours during the period 24 November 2004 - 29 November 2004.
Water samples were collected in order to obtain independent fluorescence measurements. The sample data were used to derive calibrations for the fluorescence data collected by the CTD.
Data Processing
The raw CTD data files were processed through the SeaBird Electronics SeaSoft data processing software following standard procedures. The originators used in-house interactive visual display editing software to edit out individual spikes in the primary temperature and conductivity channels. An ASCII file was generated for each CTD cast and all files from a cruise were concatenated into one ASCII file which was submitted to BODC.
Field Calibrations
Twenty water samples were used to calibrate the CTD fluorescence data. The sample analyses yielded a straight line fluorescence calibration of the form y = mx + c, where m = 0.458 and c = 0.244683.
The uncalibrated data and calibrations were submitted to BODC, who applied the appropriate corrections.
General Data Screening carried out by BODC
BODC screen both the series header qualifying information and the parameter values in the data cycles themselves.
Header information is inspected for:
- Irregularities such as unfeasible values
- Inconsistencies between related information, for example:
- Times for instrument deployment and for start/end of data series
- Length of record and the number of data cycles/cycle interval
- Parameters expected and the parameters actually present in the data cycles
- Originator's comments on meter/mooring performance and data quality
Documents are written by BODC highlighting irregularities which cannot be resolved.
Data cycles are inspected using time or depth series plots of all parameters. Currents are additionally inspected using vector scatter plots and time series plots of North and East velocity components. These presentations undergo intrinsic and extrinsic screening to detect infeasible values within the data cycles themselves and inconsistencies as seen when comparing characteristics of adjacent data sets displaced with respect to depth, position or time. Values suspected of being of non-oceanographic origin may be tagged with the BODC flag denoting suspect value; the data values will not be altered.
The following types of irregularity, each relying on visual detection in the plot, are amongst those which may be flagged as suspect:
- Spurious data at the start or end of the record.
- Obvious spikes occurring in periods free from meteorological disturbance.
- A sequence of constant values in consecutive data cycles.
If a large percentage of the data is affected by irregularities then a Problem Report will be written rather than flagging the individual suspect values. Problem Reports are also used to highlight irregularities seen in the graphical data presentations.
Inconsistencies between the characteristics of the data set and those of its neighbours are sought and, where necessary, documented. This covers inconsistencies such as the following:
- Maximum and minimum values of parameters (spikes excluded).
- The occurrence of meteorological events.
This intrinsic and extrinsic screening of the parameter values seeks to confirm the qualifying information and the source laboratory's comments on the series. In screening and collating information, every care is taken to ensure that errors of BODC making are not introduced.
Project Information
No Project Information held for the Series
Data Activity or Cruise Information
Cruise
| Cruise Name | 1704C |
| Departure Date | 2004-11-17 |
| Arrival Date | 2004-12-01 |
| Principal Scientist(s) | Emma Hatfield (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 |
