The data files in this directory, all compressed in ZIP format, are preliminary and meant to accompany a manuscript submitted in October, 2018 to Earth Systems Science Data. The manuscript is entitled "A comprehensive global oceanic dataset of helium isotope and tritium measurements" by W.J. Jenkins , S.C. Doney, , M. Fendrock1, R. Fine , T. Gamo , P. Jean-Baptiste , R. Key , B. Klein , J.E. Lupton , M. Rhein , W. Roether, Y. Sano, R. Schlitzer , P. Schlosser , and J. Swift.
Abstract: Tritium and helium isotope data provide key information on ocean circulation, ventilation, and mixing, as well as the rates of biogeochemical processes, and deep-ocean hydrothermal processes. We present here global oceanic datasets of tritium and helium isotope measurements made by numerous researchers and laboratories over a period exceeding 60 years. The dataset includes approximately 60,000 valid tritium measurements, 63,000 valid helium isotope determinations, 57,000 dissolved helium concentrations, and 34,000 dissolved neon concentrations. Some quality control has been applied in that questionable data have been flagged and clearly compromised data excluded entirely. Appropriate metadata has been included, including geographic location, date, and sample depth When available, we include water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. Data quality flags and data originator information (including methodology) are also included. This paper provides an introduction to the dataset along with some discussion of its broader qualities and graphics.
The data files correspond to 5 different formats:
(1) ACCDB -- a Microsoft ACCESS database native format
(2) CSV -- Comma-separated text format
(3) MAT -- MATLAB native binary format
(4) PSQL -- PostgreSQL database format (as a backup file)
(5) XLSX -- Microsoft EXCEL spreadsheet native format
(6) ODV -- The Ocean Data View (ODV) format
Each contains the equivalent of 3 tables:
(1) the actual data set, in the case of CSV and XLSX split into two parts due to spreadsheet size limitation
(2) the reference table linking to literature sources
(3) the email table listing contact information
The fields (columns) for the main data table are listed below. "Number" means double precision
Field_Name Field_Type Field_Description
====================================================
ExpoCode Short Text Unique string identifying cruise/expedition
Sect_ID Short Text String identifying Ocean Section (WOCE/CLIVAR/GEOTRACES)
Station Short Text Station name or number
CastNo Short Text Cast name or number at that Station
Bottle Short Text Bottle name or number on that cast
StaDate Number Decimal year of sampling
Latitude Number North latitude in decimal degrees (from -90 to +90)
Longitude Number East longitude in decimal degrees (from -180 to +180)
StaDepth Number Bottom depth at station location in meters
Pressure Number Bottle depth (actually pressure) measured in dbar
Temperature Number In Situ temperature in degrees centigrade
Temperature_Flag Integer Temperature quality flag (see QF table)
Salinity Number Sample salinity in PSU
Salinity_Flag Integer Salinity quality flag (see QF table)
Oxygen Number Dissolved oxygen in umol/kg
Oxygen_Flag Integer Dissolved oxygen flag (see QF table)
Tritium Number Tritium in TU at time of sampling
Tritium_Error Number Uncertainty in TU at time of sampling
Tritium_Flag Integer Tritium quality flag (see QF table)
Tritium_PI Short Text Principle investigator or measurer of tritium
Tritium_PI_Inst Short Text Institution or laboratory where tritium was measured
Tritium_Method Short Text Short descriptor of tritium sampling/analysis method
DelHe3 Number Helium isotope ratio anomaly relative to atmosphere in percent
DelHe3_Error Number Uncertainty in helium isotope ratio anomaly
DelHe3_Flag Integer Helium isotope ratio anomaly quality flag (see QF table)
Helium Number Dissolved helium concentration in nmol/kg
Helium_Error Number Uncertainty in dissolved helium concentration in nmol/kg
Helium_Flag Integer Dissolved Helium quality flag (see QF table)
Neon Number Dissolved neon concentration in nmol/kg
Neon_Error Number Uncertainty in dissolved neon concentration in nmol/kg
Neon_Flag Integer Dissolved neon quality flag (see QF table)
Helium_PI Short Text Principle investigator or measurer of helium (and neon)
Heliulm_PI_Ins Short Text Institution or laboratory where tritium was measured
Helium_Method Short Text Short descriptor of helium sampling/analysis method
Reference_Code Short Text Data origin or link to paper discussing data
Reference_Source Short Text Data Source within reference (e.g., table, figure) if relevant
DOI Short Text Digital Object Identifer of orginal data set (if existing)
Comment Short text Additional information or comments
Record_ID Integer Unique record identifier number
Important measurements (Temperature, Salinity, Oxygen, Tritium, DelHe3, Helium, and Neon) have an associated quality flag, which must be consulted when interpreting data, as data may be missing or otherwise compromised. Missing data is generally represented as -999
Quality_Flag_Number Meaning
2 Normal data, no problems reported
3 Questionable data: may not fit profile or some other doubt
6 Average of 2 or more measurements
9 Missing (null) data
The consumer is encouraged to read the manuscript (listed in PDF format) for a more complete description.