Best practice data standards for discrete chemical oceanographic observations
Date
Authors
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0374-3825
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1973-3514
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3245-3568
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9385-3827
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8283-1910
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8858-5247
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2445-0711
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4533-4114
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4356-5899
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9371-7128
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5044-7079
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8498-4067
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2023-7406
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1696-9142
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1344-0107
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0313-2557
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7598-5700
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6141-1810
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6650-9905
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6869-6225
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0613-6545
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3043-3806
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4226-2303
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0540-662X
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3311-1658
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0374-3825
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1973-3514
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3245-3568
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9385-3827
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8283-1910
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8858-5247
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2445-0711
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4533-4114
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4356-5899
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9371-7128
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5044-7079
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8498-4067
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2023-7406
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1696-9142
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1344-0107
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0313-2557
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7598-5700
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6141-1810
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6650-9905
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6869-6225
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0613-6545
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3043-3806
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4226-2303
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0540-662X
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Effective data management plays a key role in oceanographic research as cruise-based data, collected from different laboratories and expeditions, are commonly compiled to investigate regional to global oceanographic processes. Here we describe new and updated best practice data standards for discrete chemical oceanographic observations, specifically those dealing with column header abbreviations, quality control flags, missing value indicators, and standardized calculation of certain properties. These data standards have been developed with the goals of improving the current practices of the scientific community and promoting their international usage. These guidelines are intended to standardize data files for data sharing and submission into permanent archives. They will facilitate future quality control and synthesis efforts and lead to better data interpretation. In turn, this will promote research in ocean biogeochemistry, such as studies of carbon cycling and ocean acidification, on regional to global scales. These best practice standards are not mandatory. Agencies, institutes, universities, or research vessels can continue using different data standards if it is important for them to maintain historical consistency. However, it is hoped that they will be adopted as widely as possible to facilitate consistency and to achieve the goals stated above.