Salinity, sigma-t, and temperature data from moored current meter and CTD casts in the North Atlantic Ocean from 1981-08-29 to 1981-12-07 (NCEI Accession 8300048)

Salinity, sigma-t, and temperature data were collected using moored current meter and CTD casts in the North Atlantic Ocean from August 29, 1981 to December 7, 1981. Data were submitted by National Ocean Service (NOS). Data has been processed by NODC to the standard NODC standard F005- Current Meter Data, F022- CTD High Resolutions, and F191- Wave Wind Spectra formats.

The F005 format is used for time series measurements of ocean currents obtained using moored current-measuring instruments, principally Aanderaa current meters (manufactured by Aanderaa Instruments Inc.). These data represent the Eulerian method of current measurement, i.e., the meters are deployed at a fixed mooring point and measure flow past the sensor. Position, water depth, and sensor depth are reported for each station. The data record comprises values of current direction and speed at specified date and time. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering and are typically reported at 10-15 minute time intervals. Other environmental parameters may also be reported. These include: water temperature, salinity, conductivity, and transmissivity; wind direction and speed; and dominant wave direction, height, and period. A text field is available for optional comments.

The F022 format contains high-resolution data collected using CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) and STD (salinity-temperature-depth) instruments. As they are lowered and raised in the oceans, these electronic devices provide nearly continuous profiles of temperature, salinity, and other parameters. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering or obtained by interpolation and may be reported at depth intervals as fine as 1m. Cruise and instrument information, position, date, time and sampling interval are reported for each station. Environmental data at the time of the cast (meteorological and sea surface conditions) may also be reported. The data record comprises values of temperature, salinity or conductivity, density (computed sigma-t), and possibly dissolved oxygen or transmissivity at specified depth or pressure levels. Data may be reported at either equally or unequally spaced depth or pressure intervals. A text record is available for comments.

The F191 format is used to report meteorological data and ocean wave spectra data from NDBO. The format contains seven data record types to: 1) Identify the buoy for position, duration, rate of sampling and heading. 2) Identify the meteorological parameters (temperature, pressure, weather, solar radiation, and surface waves). 3) Report time series frequency, density and resolution of waves. Each record is 120 characters in length, sorted by station and record type. The first nine columns for all records are to be used for file type (columns 1-3) and file identifier (column 4-9). The file identifier, to be assigned by the originator, is a unique originator id for each data submission. After submission, the NODC reassigns to this field a unique NODC identifier.