EX0530E Readme


Class of Data:  Surface ocean carbon dioxide concentrations

Dataset Identifer:  EX0530E

Statement of how to cite dataset:

     Explorer website: http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/ocd/gcc/explorer_cruisetracks.php

     For more information on dataset citation please see Master Readme File.


Measurement platform identifier:  EX0530E/Explorer

Data quality issues:

     Due to the slow response time of the system, removed the first 14 to 20
     minutes of data for each hour for the entire cruise.

     Converted the wind speed data (both true and relative) to meters per second.

     From Don Cucchiara (July 24) - the sample gas flow valve was opened all the way
     to get the gas flow to normal.  Don noticed air coming out of the fridge drain
     line.  He tightened the clamp on the tubing and the gas flow returned to normal.
     He reduced the flow on the valve and the gas flow remained at 80.

     From Don Cucchiara (July 30) - Don adjusted the needle valve on the "Low
     Standard" gas to decrease the flow.  After the top of the hour and the 
     calibration cycle was done, the gas flow decreased to 63.  He adjusted
     the valve again, and after the next calibration cycle the flow was at
     56. 

     Standard Gases and Reference Gas:  The three standard gases come from CMDL
     in Boulder and are directly traceable to the WMO scale.  The reference gas
     is a non-calibrated gas from a commercial company.  Any value outside the
     range of the standards (300 ppm, 360 ppm, and 420 ppm) should be considered
     approximate (5 ppm).  While individual data points above 420 or below 300 may
     not be accurate, the general trends should be indicative of the seawater
     chemistry.  The standards used on the cruise are:

           STANDARD          TANK #       CONCENTRATION       VENDOR
           STD1              CA4563           192.34          CMDL
           STD2              CA3253           426.96          CMDL                                               
           STD3              CC3758           514.24          CMDL
           Reference Gas                      500             Commercial                                               
                                             

     Units:  All xCO2 values are reported in parts per million (ppm) and fCO2
     values are reported in microatmospheres (uatm) assuming 100% humidity at the
     equilibrator temperature.

     The first hour of data after leaving port is removed.

     An oxygen field and a cruise identifier field have been added to the 
     data file.

Project Information:

     RSMAS Explorer website:  http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/rccl/obs/ex-rt-obs.pl

Contact person for this dataset:  

     Betty Huss
     (305)361-4395
     Betty.Huss@noaa.gov

Timestamp for dataset reduction:  9/03/05

Timestamp for most recent update of dataset:  9/03/05

Time period the dataset refers to:  7/24/2005 - 7/31/2005

Geographic area the dataset refers to:

     Day 1 - Miami, Florida (25.8 N/80.7 W)
     Day 3 - San Juan, Puerto Rico (18.5 N/66.1 W)
     Day 4 - Philipsburg, St. Maarten (18.0 N/63.0 W)
     Day 5 - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (18.3 N/64.9 W)
     Day 7 - Nassau, Bahamas (25.1 N/77.3 W)
     Day 8 - Miami, Florida (25.8 N/80.7 W)