Physical, chemical, current profile, water pressure, sea surface temperature, meteorological, and other data from current meters, bottle casts, pressure gauges, meteorological sensors, current meters, and other instruments from the ANDRE NIZERY and other platforms from the TOGA Area - Atlantic as part of the Seasonal Response of the Equatorial Atlantic Experiment/FranÃ§ais Ocean Et Climat Dans L'Atlantique Equatorial (SEQUAL/FOCAL) project from 1964-01-01 to 1985-12-31 (NCEI Accession 8700150)

Physical, chemical, current profile, water pressure, sea surface temperature, meteorological, and other data were collected from the ANDRE NIZERY and other platforms from the TOGA Area - Atlantic. Data were collected by the Institut FranÃ§ais De Recherche Pour L'Exploitation De La Mer - Brest (IFREMER) and other institutions as part of the Seasonal Response of the Equatorial Atlantic Experiment/FranÃ§ais Ocean Et Climat Dans L'Atlantique Equatorial (SEQUAL/FOCAL) project from 01 January 1964 to 31 December 1985. Data were processed by NODC to the NODC standard Station Data II Output Format (SD2), the F015-Current Meter Data (components) format, the F017-Pressure Gauge Data format, and the F101-Wind Measurements from Buoys format.

The SD2 file format is used for physical-chemical oceanographic data recorded at discrete depth levels. Most of the observations were made using multi-bottle Nansen casts or other types of water samplers. A small amount (about 5%), were obtained using electronic CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) or STD (salinity-temperature-depth) recorders. The CTD/STD data were reported to NODC at depth levels equivalent to Nansen cast data, however, and have been processed and stored the same as the Nansen data. Cruise information, position, date and time are reported for each station. Each station contains the measurements taken at observed depth levels, but also includes data values interpolated to a set of standard depth levels.

The F015 format is used for time series measurements of ocean currents. These data are obtained from current meter moorings and represent Eulerian method of current measurement, i.e., the meters are deployed at a fixed point and measure flow past a sensor. Position, bottom depth, sensor depth, and meter characteristics are reported for each station. The data record comprises values of east-west (u) and north-south (v) current vector components at specified date and time. Current direction is defined as the direction toward which the water is flowing with positive directions east and north and negative directions west and south. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering and are typically reported at 10-15 minute time intervals. Water temperature, pressure, and conductivity or salinity may also be reported. A text record is available for optional comments.

The F017 format contains time series measurements of seawater pressure from anchored or bottom-mounted sensors. Measurements of variations at depth of seawater pressure provide information on tidal and storm flows, ocean circulation, and other phenomena that cause changes in sea surface elevation or slope and that can be detected from their pressure signature. Position, bottom depth, and gauge depth are reported for each station. The data record comprises values of total pressure at specified date and time. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering and are typically reported at time intervals of 10-15 minutes. Seawater temperature may also be reported. Comments may be reported in a text record.

The F101 file format is used for time-series measurements of wind and other surface meteorological parameters taken at fixed locations. The instrument arrays may be deployed on automated buoys, ships, or towers. Position, platform type and height, and instrument elevation are reported for each station. The data record comprises values of east-west (u) and north-south (v) wind components at specified date and time. Wind values may be subject to averaging or filtering and are typically reported at time intervals of 10-15 minutes. Air temperature, atmospheric pressure, and dewpoint temperature may also be reported.

Tags: oceanography
Organization: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce