Oceanographic, surface meteorological, and chemical water quality parameter data collected from moored Real-time Coastal Observation Network (ReCON) buoys in the Great Lakes region by NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory since 2004

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory has collected observations from in-situ Real-time Coastal Observation Network (ReCON) moored buoys during the open water season, in the Great Lakes since 2004. The ReCON buoy network provides continuous, real-time observations facilitates modification of sampling parameters in anticipation of episodic events, facilitates the collection of field samples in response to episodic events, supports long-term research, and contributes to sensor and system development. Parameters collected include air temperature, chlorophyll, conductivity, current profiles, depth, dissolved organic matter, dissolved oxygen, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), pressure (hydrostatic), specific conductivity, total dissolved solids, water temperature, wind direction and speed, and wave height, direction and period. Five quality assurance for real-time oceanographic data (QARTOD) tests were run on the observations including gross range, climatological, spike, rate of change, and flat line tests. The highest value from the five tests was included under the “Qartod” column. If data were known to be invalid, that line of data was removed from the dataset.