Data Tracking and RealTime XBT Quality Control

1
Data Tracking and Real-Time XBT Quality
Control Gary Soneira, NOAA/AOML/PHOD
Why does AOML track data on the GTS? With both
human and financial resources shrinking, it is
increasingly important to understand and address
end-to-end data management. The very complexity
of the GTS demands close cooperation between data
source and destination.

• Why does AOML quality control XBT data in
  real-time?
• To identify and quickly remedy problems with
  data collection and/or data transmission.

Analysis of the two consecutive profiles below,
although occurring on different days, indicated a
problem with the connection in the hand launcher.
SEAS Logistic Support personnel were notified,
the vessel was contacted, and the unit replaced.
Delivery to a national center may represent the
end of the data flow for real-time data but so
does delivery to the national archive. AOML
maintains an open dialog between GTS operators,
various national centers, and the national
archive to resolve data quality and data loss
issues.
Data AOML Tracks

• AOML QC software processes all U.S. Argo
  profiling float data.
• The Global Drifter Center manages data from 79
  of the drifting buoys worldwide
• AOML SEAS VOS program provides over 50 of the
  global real-time XBT data.
• AOML SEAS VOS also provides 50 of the
  real-time weather observations taken from ships.
• Since TAO/TRITON data are essential for Enso
  predictions, AOML closely monitors the flow of
  
• these observations.

Global Drifter Array
Argo Network
An informal association of international
representatives monitor the quality of marine
data routed on the GTS. The balance of expertise
and resources improves the exchange of quality
data.
TAO/TRITON
Working Together To Solve Data Tracking Problems
An example Hello all, It seems that the
duplicates problem that MEDS was experiencing
with the BATHY feed from METOC in Halifax has
been explained. I had a conversation with Pat
Breton at METOC this morning, and we discussed
the makeup of the files that were being sent to
us. There was data in these files that had been
received from Fleet Numerical in Monterey, which
included data from commercial carriers using SEAS
units. The call signs had been removed and
replaced with SHIP. The BATHY's from the SEAS
units were put onto the GTS by their normal
route, and were already in our archive by the
time that the same profiles, labeled SHIP,
reached us from METOC East, via Monterey. We had
assumed that the files from METOC were Canadian
BATHY's only, so were somewhat perplexed by these
duplicates. Pat and I have agreed that from now
on, MEDS will receive files that contain only
BATHY's from Canadian vessels, for MEDS to
process and put up on the GTS. These will arrive
once a week, on Wednesday, so that we can do our
processing early Thursday morning. My thanks to
Pat and Gary for their help in tracking down this
duplicates problem. Best regards, Don Don
Spear Head, Oceans Profiles Section Marine
Environmental Data Services Branch
spear_at_meds-sdmm.dfo-mpo.gc.ca 200 Kent St.,
Stn. 12082, Phone [phone] Ottawa,
Ontario Fax [phone] K1A 0E6
www.meds-sdmm.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
SEAS VOS