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Code Tables

ACT_CODE (History Action Code)
Code Description
AC Assign a new cruise number
BB Bad Bottle data, CSIRO Code (CSCB)
BD Bathy data which is rejected, CSIRO Code (CSCB)
BO Bowing Problem or Bowed Mixed layer. This is an apparently inconsistent temperature measurement observed with an early version of the Bathy systems SA-810 XBT recorder. Erroneous, gradual increase (bowing) in the temperature profile with depth that is most notable in the mixed layer zone. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
CF Change a quality flag
CL Contact Lost (Probe records before entering water), CSIRO Code (CSCB)
CR Create record
CS Surface Spike, caused by a minor start-up transient problem that leads to inaccurate temperature measurements in the top few meters of a temperature profile. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
CT Constant temperature, hit bottom. The temperature profile exhibits constant temperature which is considered to be erroneous when compared to neighbouring profiles and/or climatology and/or known characteristics of the region. The constant temperatures could occur over all of the profile or part of it. (The reasons could be sensor failure, depth calculation error, nose falling off the XBT, XBT sitting on the bottom, etc.) CSIRO/WOCE Code (CSCB and WOCB)
CU Cusping. Bathy Systems Leakage or cusping is a malfunction particular to early versions of the Bathy Systems SA-810 unit. Leakage associated with this recorder/processor causes a characteristic cusping signal to be embedded in the profile. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
CV Change value
DA Delete Top of a profile. From top of a profile to a depth specified in the HISTORY GROUP. IFREMER Code
DB Delete Bottom of a profile. From a depth specified in the HISTORY GROUP to end of the profile. IFREMER Code
DC Station was checked by duplicate checking software
DE Depth Error, CSIRO Code (CSCB)
DL Delete interval in a profile. Between 2 values specified in the HISTORY GROUP to end of the profile. IFREMER Code
DP Duplicate Drop, CSIRO Code (CSCB)
DR Driver Error, The Sippican MK-9 timing delay problem, is an error in the recognition of the start of descent of an XBT (i.e., probe contact with water) that results in a depth error. Data errors are highly erratic and random in nature, and in most cases the degree of depth error is indeterminable in data collected in the field under normal conditions. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
DU Duplicate Drop, CSIRO Code (CSCB)
ED Edit a parameter value
EF Eddy / Front / Current. Eddies, oceanic fronts and currents are common meso-scale features in the oceans. An eddy, front or current appears as an increase/decrease in temperature over large depth ranges when compared to a neighbouring profile. A temperature displacement can sometimes be seen in alternating or sequential drops as the ship track crosses a current, eddy system or frontal region. Confirmation of the feature is established if neighbouring (usually repeat) profile pairs each side of the front show similar temperatures at depth. Temperature sections along the ship track can be used as further evidence these features are real. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
FB Flag to the Bottom
FR Flag Range
FS Fine structure error: leakage, PET fault, cusping, sticking bit. The temperature profile exhibits erroneous fine structure when compared to neighbouring profiles and/or climatology and/or known characteristics of the region. (The reasons could be signal leakage, XBT recording system failures (sticking bit, cusping, PET Fault, etc), complete instrument failure, etc) CSIRO/WOCE Code (CSCB and WOCB)
HB Hit Bottom. When the probe hits the bottom, the temperature trace usually goes isothermal. Contact with the bottom is often indicated by a small horizontal spike or undulation. The spike can be due to overheating of the thermistors or physical contact with the bottom. Data recorded beyond the hit bottom event is rejected as erroneous. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
HF High Frequency Interference. As for spikes, high frequency interference is caused by electrical, or electromagnetic, interference, but results in continual spiking over a wide range of depths. Interference may sometimes appear severe but the temperature records underneath can often be successfully interpolated by filtering. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
IP Insulation Penetration. Appears as a sharp spike(s) towards the high temperature end of the scale, generally followed by a gradual recovery. This is caused by damage to the wire insulation. The insulation damage will tend to heal itself by the interaction between the wire and seawater; however caution must be observed as the recovery may not be complete. Severe insulation penetration causes continual elevated temperatures from the depth of the leakage. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
IV Inversion. Confirmed increase in temperature with depth observed at some point in the profile. Confirmation is established through the observation of the same feature in a neighbouring (usually a repeat) drop. These features usually occur is specific regions. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
LE leakage. Appears as apparent structure of "jitter over a range of depths (or the entire profile) that is considered to be unusual as there is little evidence of similar structure in the region, and or there is no confirmation from a neighbouring profile. This flag can be used if there is some element of doubt whether the XBT system is working correctly, i.e., if there is a suspected signal leakage problem with the recording equipment. Leakage can also be a result of insulation penetration which has not healed leading to continuous leakage, or damage to the launcher cable or recorder. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
MB MBT data rejected, CSIRO Code (CSCB)
ML Mixed layer error: bowing. The temperature profile exhibits erroneous features (such as false inversions) in the mixed layer when compared to neighbouring profiles and/or climatology and/or known characteristics of the region. (The reasons could be XBT bowing problem, instrument drift, etc). CSIRO/WOCE Code (CSCB and WOCB)
MO Modulo 10 spikes. It is a data acquisition software problem associated with early versions of the Bathy Systems SA-810 XBT system in which a spike is introduced at 10 point intervals (i.e., every tenth digitization) in the profile data. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
MS Meso-scale feature, CSIRO Code (CSCB)
NG No good trace. The profile data is completely and obviously erroneous. CSIRO/WOCE Code (CSCB and WOCB)
NT No Trace. There is either no profile data recorded or the data is completely off-scale. This can be due to a number of reasons such as wire break before the probe makes contact with the water or an observer launching a probe before the system's set-up procedures are complete. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
NU Inversion in Mixed Layer Confirmed. A nub is a special type of inversion in which an increase of temperature with depth is observed within or at the base of the mixed layer. Confirmation is established through the observation of the same feature in a neighbouring (usually a repeat) drop. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
OE Other/Probe Type error. Occurs when the probe type (or other value in header field) is entered incorrectly by the observer (e.g. T4 is entered instead of T7 for probe type). CSIRO Code (CSCB)
PE Position error. Profile position has been erroneously encoded. Corrected if possible, CSIRO/WOCE Code (CSCB and WOCB)
PF Pet Fault. The PROTECNO Systems Leakage is a problem specific to the PROTECNO recorder/processor that causes a leakage-type of malfunction. This can often be masked by the temperature gradient. Generally the leakage is more evident toward the bottom of a profile, where the temperature gradient is small. It is a common fault in data recorded by earlier versions of this System. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
PI Inversion Probable. A probable inversion is defined as an increase in temperature with depth observed at some point in the profile, but which is not fully confirmed by a repeat or neighbouring drop. The feature is considered to be probably real as inversions are known to occur in the region or similar features are found in neighbouring drops. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
PS Fine Structure (Step-Like) Probable. Appears as unconfirmed isothermal or step-like features (including thermostads) observed in a profile over a range of depths (usually 10-100m) or the entire profile. The vertical gradient of the feature or features is substantially different from the back-ground gradient and therefore resembles a cascade or staircase. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
QC Quality Control
RD The profile has gone through a reduction procedure.
RE Repeat Drop. Is defined as an XBT deployed within 15 minutes of another one due to suspected previous probe malfunctions, desire to confirm a suspected real feature, or high density sampling. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
RF Reformat
SA Surface Anomaly. The surface anomaly is a special case of fine structure that is limited to the top 20 metres of the water column. A warm surface layer can sometimes form from solar heating and light winds (often referred to as the afternoon effect). The afternoon effect can warm surface layers of between 2-10 m thick by up to 1DegC. Cooler freshwater layers due to precipitation or riveroutflow can also cause a surface anomaly to develop. A surface anomaly is generally larger than 0.2DegC. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
SF Surface feature error: surface anomaly, chopped surface value. The temperature exhibits erroneous features at the surface when compared to neighbouring profiles and known characteristics of the region. (The reasons could be XBT start-up transients, general instrument equilibration problems, sensors recording prematurely before entering water, etc) WOCE Code (WOCB)
SP Spike. Isolated or intermittent spikes can be the result of external electrical or electromagnetic interference that influences the XBT system's output. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
ST Fine Structure (Step-Like) Confirmed. Step-like features or small interleaving observed in a profile over a range of depths, (usually 10-100m) or the entire profile. Thermostads, well-mixed regions where temperature and density vary little with depth, also appear as step like features and so are included in this category. Confirmation is established by observation of the same structure in a repeat or neighbouring drop. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
SV Set a value
TA Temperature anomaly that might be bad data but we decided to accept it for now. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
TD Temperature Difference, A difference in temperature at depth is observed when compared to neighbouring profiles. The temperature difference can occur over the entire profile but the defining feature is the offset at the bottom of the profile. The feature is probably real as eddies, fronts, or currents are known to occur in the region, although there is no exact confirmation from neighbouring profiles. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
TE Time error. Profile date/time has been erroneously encoded. Corrected if possible, CSIRO/WOCE Code (CSCB and WOCB)
TG Temperature gradient error: insulation penetration, spikes, high frequency noise, wire break, modulo 10 spikes. The temperature profile exhibits erroneous temperature gradients when compared to neighbouring profiles and/or climatology and/or known characteristics of the region. (The reasons could be spiking, interference, XBT wire break, modulo 10 problem, XBT wire insulation penetration, etc) WOCE Code (WOCB)
TI Temperature inversion error: wire stretch. The temperature profile exhibits erroneous temperature inversions when compared to neighbouring profiles and/or climatology and/or known characteristics of the region. (The reasons could be XBT wire stretch, sensor drift, encoding error, etc). WOCE Code (WOCB)
TO Temperature/depth offset. The temperature profile exhibits erroneous temperature/depth offsets compared to neighbouring profiles and/or climatology and/or known characteristics of the region. The offsets can occur at depth, or over sections of the profile, or over the complete profile (The reason could be instrument drift/sensor failure, encoding error, XBT fall rate error, XBT start-of-descent timing error, etc) CSIRO/WOCE Code (CSCB and WOCB)
TP Test Probe, and devices are frequently used for testing or calibrating XBT systems. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
UP Station passed through the update program
UR Under resolved. Temperature data is encoded at standard depths/levels and can't be used to reconstitute a profile accurately, CSIRO/WOCE Code (CSCB and WOCB)
WB Wire Break. The XBT wire breaks, a short circuit causes the temperature readings to go off scale either to the low (wire breaks from the spool in the launcher) or to the high (wire breaks from the descending probe's spool) temperature end of the scale. The main cause of wire breaks can be fouling or if the terminal depth of the probe is reached. Often a wire stretch will precede a wire break. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
WS Wire Stretch. A true wire stretch causes an abnormal increase of temperature with depth (usually > 0.2DegC observed over a large range of depths). A wire stretch because of an increase in tension in the wire (due to poor unreeling) can result in a similar bulge to the high temperature side of an XBT profile. These malfunctions can look very similar to temperature inversions, and must be confirmed by a check between neighbouring profiles (usually repeat drops), or have been observed in an area where inversions are known to occur, and flagged as real. Unconfirmed features are flagged according to the degree of confidence. If the anomaly is suspected to be erroneous it should be flagged as a wire stretch. See the CSIRO Quality Control Cookbook for further clarification. CSIRO Code (CSCB)
 
NOTE: For a complete explanation of the meanings of these codes, see the CSIRO Quality Control Cookbook for XBT Data.
 
 
ACT_PARM (History Action Parm)
Code Description
BYM$ Previous bulletin year-month as YYMM
CCLL Platform callsign
DATE Date within year format MMDD
DAY$ Day within Date format DD
DEPH Sensor depth below sea surface
DTE$ DDMMY group of IGOSS Message
HHMM Time within day format HHMM
HOUR Hours within day
LALO CSIRO changed flag to indicate latitude/longitude wrong
LAT$ Latitude as degrees, minutes
LATI CSIRO changed latitude value
LON$ Longitude as degrees, minutes
LONG CSIRO changed longitude value
MNTH Calendar month
MNTS Minutes within day format MM
PSAL Practical salinity
RCRD Create a Record
TEMP Temperature
TIME Time within day format HHMM
YEAR Calendar year format YYYY
 
 
GTSPP Code Table AVAIL (Availability)
 
Code Description
A Available
P Protected
 
 
NOS/SEAS Code Table BUFR SST Method
Code Description
00 Ship intake
01 Bucket
02 Hull contact sensor
03 Reversing thermometer
04 STD/CTD sensor
05 Mechanical BT
06 Expendable BT
08 Thermistor chain
09 Infrared sensor
10 Microwave sensor
 
 
NODC Code Table 0614 DATA TREATMENT and STORAGE (XBT)
Code Description
01 SINGLE DIGITIZATION; STORED AS DIGITIZED
02 SINGLE DIGITIZATION; COMPRESSION; FIT WITHIN 0.05 DEGC
03 SINGLE DIGITIZATION; COMPRESSION; FIT WITHIN 0.1 DEGC
04 SINGLE DIGITIZATION; COMPRESSION; FIT WITHIN 0.2 DEGC
05 SINGLE DIGITIZATION; COMPRESSION; FIT WITHIN 0.3 DEGC
06 SINGLE DIGITIZATION; COMPRESSION; FIT WITHIN 0.7 DEGC
21 DUAL DIGITIZATION AND AVERAGING; STORED AS DIGITIZE
22 DUAL DIGITIZATION AND AVERAGING; COMPRESSION; FIT WITHIN 0.05 DEG C
23 DUAL DIGITIZATION AND AVERAGING; COMPRESSION; FIT WITHIN 0.1 DEG C
24 DUAL DIGITIZATION AND AVERAGING; COMPRESSION; FIT WITHIN 0.2 DEG C
25 DUAL DIGITIZATION AND AVERAGING; COMPRESSION; FIT WITHIN 0.3 DEG C
26 DUAL DIGITIZATION AND AVERAGING; COMPRESSION; FIT WITHIN 0.5 DEG C
 
 
GTSPP Code Table DATA_TYPE (data_type)
Code Description
BA BATHY message (bathythermal reported real-time)
BF Batfish, oblique CTD tows converted to vertical tows
BO Bottle (delayed mode)
CD CTD down cast (delayed mode)
CT CTD up or down cast (delayed mode)
CU CTD up cast (delayed mode)
DB DRIFTER (drifting buoy reported real-time)
DT DIGITAL BT (delayed mode)
MB MBT (delayed mode)
PF Profiling ALACE float (delayed mode)
TE TESAC message (temperature-salinity-depth profile, reported real-time)
TK TRACKOB message (marine surface observation along a ships track reported real-time)
TO CTD towed (conductivity-temperature-depth) delayed mode
TR THERMISTOR CHAIN (temperature-depth profile, delayed mode)
XB XBT Expendable Bathythermograph (temperature-depth profile, delayed mode)
 
 
GTSPP Code Table DEPTH CORRECTION
CPARM (DPC$) (Surface Code)
Code Description
01 Known XBT Probe Type, Needs Correction
02 Known XBT Probe Type, No need to Correct
03 Unknown XBT Probe Type, Not enough information to know what to do, leave alone,
04 Known XBT Probe Type, Correction was done
05 Unknown XBT Probe Type, but a correction was done
 
 
GTSPP Code Table DIGITCODE (Digitization_Method Code)
Code Description
0 Unknown method
7 Digitized at regular depths (e.g. every 5 meters)
8 Digitized at profile inflexion points
D Digital data logger, unreduced
 
 
NODC Code Table 0613 DIGITIZATION Interval (XBT)
Code Description
01 FIXED INTERVAL LE 0.1 METER AND LE 0.1 DEG C
02 FIXED INTERVAL GT 1 METER BUT LE 3 METERS AND LE 0. 1 DEG C
03 FIXED INTERVAL GT 3 METERS BUT LE 6 METERS AND LE 0 .1 DEG C
04 FIXED INTERVAL GT 6 METERS AND LE 0.1 DEG C
11 FIXED INTERVAL LE 1 METER AND LE 0.2 DEG C
12 FIXED INTERVAL GT 1 METER BUT LE 3 METERS AND LE 0. 2 DEG C
31 VARIABLE INTERVAL - MANUALLY DETERMINED
32 VARIABLE INTERVAL - STATISTICALLY DETERMINED
33 VARIABLE INTERVAL - PHYSICALLY DETERMINED
FI FIXED INTERVAL GT 3 METERS BUT LT 6 METERS AND LE 0.2 DEG C
 
 
NODC Code Table 0612 DIGITIZATION Method (XBT)
Code Description
01 MANUAL
02 A-D CONVERSION FROM ORIGINAL
03 A-D CONVERSION FROM COPIES
04 OPTICAL SCANNING
05 DIRECT DIGITAL OUTPUT UNKNOWN
06 DIRECT DIGITAL OUTPUT BATHY
07 DIRECT DIGITAL OUTPUT SUTRON
08 DIRECT DIGITAL OUTPUT FROM SIPPICAN MARK 9
 
 
GTSPP Code Table DPCODE (Depth/pressure code)
Code Description
D Independent parameter is Depth
P Independent parameter is Pressure
 
 
GTSPP Code Table IDENTCODE (History Identification Code hist_identcode)
Code Description
AD AUSTRALIAN OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA CENTER, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
AO ATLANTIC OCEANOGRAHIC METEROLOGICAL LABORATORY, MIAMI, FL, USA
BI BEDFORD INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY, DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
CS COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANIZATION (CSIRO), HOBART, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA
FN US NAVY FLEET NUMERICAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTER (FNOC) MONTEREY, CA, USA
GE BUNDESFORSCHUNGSANSTALT FUR FISCHEREI, HAMBURG, GERMANY
JA JAPAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY, TOKYO, CHIYODA-KU, JAPAN
ME MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL DATA SERVICES, OTTAWA, CANADA
NO US DOC NOAA NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA CENTER, SILVER SPRING, MD, USA
NW US DOC NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, CAMP SPRING, MD, USA
SI SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY, LA JOLLA, CA, USA
TC TOGA SUBSURFACE DATA CENTER, SISMER, IFREMER, FRANCE
 
 
GTSPP Code Table STREAMIDENT
Code Description
ADCT Australian Oceanographic Data Center, CTD cast
ADCT Australian Oceanographic Data Center, Bathy
ADXB Australian Oceanographic Data Center, XBT
AOBA Australian Oceanographic Meteorological Center, Bathy
AOXB Australian Oceanographic Meteorological Center, XBT
BIBO Bedford Institute, Canada, BOTTLE
BIBT Bedford Institute, Canada, GENERAL BT
BICT Bedford Institute, Canada, CTD cast
CFBT Canadian Navy, GENERAL BT
CFCT Canadian Navy, CTD cast
CSBA CSIRO, Australia, BATHY
CSXB CSIRO, XBT
DACT Dalhousie University, CTD cast
FNBA FNOC, Monterey, California, BATHY
FNTE FNOC, Monterey, California, TESAC
GEBA BSH, Germany, BATHY
GETE BSH, Germany, TESAC
GEXB BSH, Germany, XBT
IMCT IML, CTD cast
IOBT IOS in Pat Bay, BC, GENERAL BT
IOCT IOS in Pat Bay, BC, CTD cast
JABA Japanese Meteorological Agency, BATHY
JATE Japanese Meteorological Agency, TESAC
MEBA MEDS, BATHY
MEBO MEDS, BOTTLE
MEBT MEDS, GENERAL BT
MECT MEDS, CTD cast
MEDB MEDS, DRIFTER (drifting buoy)
METE MEDS, TESAC
MEXB MEDS, XBT
MOBT Moncton, GENERAL BT
MOCT Moncton, CTD cast
NABT NAFC, GENERAL BT
NACT NAFC, CTD cast
NOBA US National Oceanographic Data Center, BATHY
NOBO US National Oceanographic Data Center, BOTTLE
NOCD US National Oceanographic Data Center, CTD down cast
NOCT US National Oceanographic Data Center, CTD cast
NOCU US National Oceanographic Data Center, CTD up cast
NOPF US National Oceanographic Data Center, Profiling Float
NOXB US National Oceanographic Data Center, XBT
NWBA US National Weather Service, BATHY
NWTE US National Weather Service, TESAC
RUBO Russian Federation, BOTTLE
SABO ST. ANDREWS, BOTTLE
SABT ST. ANDREWS, GENERAL BT
SACT ST. ANDREWS, CTD cast
TCBA TOGA Center, IFREMER, BATHY
TCCT TOGA Center, IFREMER, CTD
TCXB TOGA Center, IFREMER, XBT
WHBT Woods Hole, GENERAL BT
XXBA Unknown Bathy
XXBO Unknown Bottle
XXXB Unknown XBT
 
 
GTSPP Code Table CPARM (Surface Code)(uses either GF3 or Data Center Codes)
Code Description Units
AC2$ A unique number constructed from system hour, minute, second and profile number to allow MEDS to connect all surface drift stations to the associated profiles. text
ACC$ MEDS Accession number text
ACCS NODC Accession number text
ADID AODC Unique ID ---
ANT$ Anemometer type. Received values of 999 indicate values corrected to 10m. In this case, we record a Q_PARM of 5 and original value = 999 in a history record. WMO Code 0114
APN$ The Service Argos program number text
AREA Ocean Area (IN=Indian, AT=Atlantic, PA=Pacific) code
BMS$ BUFR SST Method Code NOS/SEAS code
BQA$ QA in buoy code form text
BQZ$ Depth correction indicator WMO code 3318
BTP$ Buoy type WMO code 0370
CCVR Cloud Cover ---
CLDA Total Cloud Amount WMO Code 2700
CLDT Cloud Type WMO Code 0500
CSC1 Chief Scientist's Name
CSID CSIRO unique ID
CSN$ IGOSS Call Sign
DBID NODC Database Identification Number (Unique Identifier)
DKT$ Recorder type for IGOSS BTs. This is equivalent to RCT$ MEDS Code
DPC$ Depth Correction Code GTSPP Code
DT2$ Date at the end of a tow (Batfish)
FRA$ Fall rate (correction factor for XBT probes)
FRE$ Code for fall rate equation used See IGOSS code table
FRQ$ Argos system data (frequency) used for CSIRO back conversion to Raw data
GCLL Call Sign
GE1$ Contents of the first engineering group in a DRIBU message
GE2$ Contents of the second engineering group in a DRIBU message
GG1$ Contents of the group 111 QdQx in FMB-X Buoy Code form
GG2$ Contents of the group 222 QdQx in FMB-X Buoy Code form
GG3$ Contents of the group 333 QdQx in FMB-X Buoy Code form
GGC$ The 5 character 66... group used in a TESAC message to indicate information about the subsurface data collection.
GGI$ The 5 character 88.. group used in a BATHY and a TESAC message to indicate information about the subsurface profile.
GGST Quality of BUOY Satellite Transmission WMO Code 3313
GNCO NODC consecutive station number
GNCR NODC Cruise Number
Position 1 = OSV Flag
Position 2 = Instrument Type
Position 3 = Probe Type
GOCO Originators Consec Number
GOCR Originators Cruise Number
HM2$ Hour and minute at the end of a tow (Batfish)
ICD$ Equivalent to IST$
ICEF Flag for Ice in vicinity of Hydrographic Observation GF3 Code
IDEN Data identifier
INS1 Institute
IST$ Instrument name
LDAT Database Load Date at NODC
MRTT Instrument for Reference Temp., MBT Reference Type
OCLD Ocean Climate Lab DatabaseID
OCLP Ocean Climate Lab PlatformID
OCLR Ocean Climate Lab Reference Number
OCLS Ocean Climate Lab Unique Station Number
OCR$ The originator's cruise number
OID$ Originator's station identifier
ONM1 Originator's name
PDID NODC Ocean profile database ID
PDT$ The date as DDMMY of the last position (from DRIBU message)
PEQ$ XBT fall rate equation WMO Code 1770
PFR$ XBT probe type and fall rate equation WMO Code 1770 and 4770
PLAT Platform code GTSPP Code
PLTN MEDS Ship Platname
PNM1 Platform name
PRHB Probe Hit Bottom Indicator(0 = no, 1 = yes) GF3 Code
PRO1 NODC project code (same as PROJ) NODC Code
PROJ NODC project code NODC Code
PRT$ XBT probe type WMO Code 1770
PTM$ The time as HHMM/ of the last position (from DRIBU message)
PTT$ The Service Argos ptt number
QAF$ QC tests Fail - AOML
QAO$ Quality control performed at AOML
QCF$ QC tests Fail - MEDS
QCP$ QC tests Performed - MEDS
QNF$ QC tests Fail - NODC
QNP$ QC tests Performed - NODC
QSF$ QC tests Fail - SIO
QSP$ QC tests Performed - SIO
RCT$ XBT recorder type WMO Code 4770
RTC$ Reference temperature code Meds Code
SAT$ Satellite identifier
SEAS Sea State WMO Code 3700
SER1 Instrument Serial Number
SHP# Ship name
STAT GTSPP STATUS GTSPP Code (see Status Table above)
STM# Sea surface temperature method
SVR$ SEAS version number Code
SYS$ System recorder WMO Code 4770
TCID IFREMER TOGA Center Unique Database ID
VDIC Wave direction WMO Code 0885
VIS# Visibility WMO Code 4300
VISB Horizontal Visibility WMO Code 4300
VISC Horizontal visibility WMO Code 4300
VSB# Horizontal visibility WMO Code 4300
WAT$ Argos system data (WAIT) used for back conversion to Raw data CSIRO code
WCF$ WMO Code form designator eq. IB-XBUOY
WCLR Water colour (Forel-Ule scale) Water Colour (Forel-Ule scale)
WDC$ Wind direction code (octants) MEDS code (see Wind direction table)
WDIC Wind direction WMO Code 0885/0877
WDR# Wind direction WMO Code 0877
WFBS Wind Force on Beaufort Scale Beaufort Code
WLCR Water colour (Forel-Ule scale) Water Colour (Forel-Ule scale)
WSC$ Wind force code (knots) MEDS Code (see Wind Force table)
WVD# Wave direction WMO Code 0877
WVH# Wave height WMO Code 1555
WVP# Wave period WMO Code 3155
WWC# Present weather WMO Code 4501
WWCD Present Weather WMO Code 4677 or 4501
XDIN XBT digitization Interval NODC Code 0613 (see Data Interval table)
XDMT XBT digitization Method NODC Code 0612 (see Digitization Method table)
XINS Instrument type
XTRS XBT data Treatment and Storage NODC code 0614 (see Data Treatment and Storage)
 
 
GTSPP Code Table PCODE (Surface Parameter Code)
(uses either GF3 or Data Center Codes)
Code Description Units
ATMP Atmospheric Pressure at Altitude hectoPascals
ATMS Atmospheric Pressure at Sea Level hectoPascals
ATPT Atmospheric Pressure Tendency hectoPascals/hour
BATH Bathymetric Depth meters
BCI$ Indicator for Method of Current Measurement WMO Code 2266
CCVR Total Cloud Cover in Tenths of Sky ---
CITW Civil Twilight ---
DEPH Sensor depth below sea surface meters
DEPP Significant figure for depth meters
DEWT Dew Point Temperature degrees C
DRDP Depth of drogue meters
DRHR Duration (hours) hours
DRYT Dry Bulb Temperature degrees C
GGCM Indicator for Method of Current Measurement WMO Code 2266
HEAD Platform heading (relative to True North) ---
HTL$ Height of the XBT launcher above the water meters
ICT$ Ice thickness meters
INTE Incubation Time End ---
INTS Incubation Time Start ---
LATP Significant Figures in Latitude (OCL) ---
LN2$ The second longitude (from DRIBU message) degrees
LNC$ Launcher height meters
LOAN Local Apparent Noon ---
LONP Significant Figures in Longitude (OCL) ---
LT2$ The second latitude (from DRIBU message degrees or for ocean profile data the latitude records the start latitude and this records the end latitude of the tow.) ---
MBN$ The message block number from a Service text Argos message. Each message gets a unique number. ---
MRTV Reference/Sea Surface temperature, MBT temperature ---
PB1$ Battery voltage at initial pump extension Volt
PBP$ Air bladder pressure in counts number
PBS$ The position of the piston, in counts, for a profiling float at the parking depth. Counts vary from 0-256 with 256 being fully extended. number
PBV$ Battery voltage remaining for a profiling float. Volt
PFL$ Profile length (as the number of pressures) number
PFN$ Profile number generated by Service Argos number
PIV$ Internal vacuum recorded before the last descent of a profiling float. inches Hg
PMT$ Pump motor time (in two second intervals) number
PP1$ Profile piston position in counts number
PP2$ The surface piston position for a profiling float. Position counts are from 0-256 with 256 being fully extended. number
PPS$ The piston position for a profiling flat at the surface. Position counts are from 0-256 with 256 being fully extended. number
PRHB Probe Hit Bottom Indicator (0=no, 1=yes)
PSP$ Surface pressure + 5 decibars before the last descent of a profiling float. decibars
RELH Relative Humidity percent
RTD$ Reference temperature water depth meters
RTM$ Reference temperature deg C
SCDT Direction to which Sea Surface Currentis flowing (relative to true North) degrees
SCR$ Instrument scan rate (from towed CTDs) secs
SCSP Sea Surface Current Speed meters/second
SEAS Sea State Height in meters
SECC Water transparency, Secchi disk depth meters
SOU$ Bathymetric Depth meters
SPDR Relative platform speed through the air/water meters/second
SSD$ Depth of sea surface temperature sensor meters
SSPS Sea Surface Practical Salinity PSU
SSSL Sea Surface Salinity (pre-1978 definition) grams/kilogram
SSTP Sea Surface Temperature degrees C
SWDR Direction from which SWELL is coming (relative to True North) degrees
SWHT Swell Height meters
SWPR Swell Period seconds
TIMP Significant Figures in Time (OCL)
VDIR Visual estimate of direction from which degrees waves are coming (relative to True North. degrees
VEST Visual Average Wave Height meters
VISB Horizontal Visibility meters
VPER Visual Estimate of Wave Period seconds
WDIR Direction from which wind is blowing (relative to true North) degrees
WETT Wet Bulb Temperature degrees C
WFBS Wind Force on Beaufort Scale Beaufort Code
WSP# Wind speed knots
WSPD Horizontal Wind Speed meters/second
WWCD Present Weather WMO Code 4677 or 4501
XCDP XBT calibration depth meters
XCTM XBT calibration temperature degrees C
 
 
GTSPP Code Table HIST_PRCCODE (History Processing Code)
Code Description
ARDP Check Argo duplicates between TESAC and Argo archives
ARGQ Automatic QC software for Argo floats
ARUP Update Argo data to Argo archive
BIOC Convert new BIO r-t format to ocean processing
BISC Conversion of WOCE XBT's at Bedford Institute to MEDS ocean processing format.
BIXB Conversion of BIO XBT data to ocean processing format.
BIXC Conversion of Skogafoss format to ocean processing.
BOCV Conversion of BIO Bottle data to ocean processing.
BTCV The software converts MEDS hand digitized BTs to ocean processing format
BTE1 Convert drifters with subsurface profiles from drifting buoy stream to TESAC stream.
BTE2 Convert drifters with subsurface profiles from TESAC stream to drifting buoy stream.
BU01 MEDS software that reads IGOSS data in BUFR and convert to the Ocean processing format
BUCV Convert GTS drifting buoy messages to Ocean processing format.
BUQC Drifting Buoy QC software.
CFCV Convert Canadian Navy DBT data
CSCB CSIRO QC Cook Book Software
CTCV Software converts format from high resolution CTD tape format to ocean processing format
cv01 NODC converter for CSIRO Delayed Mode ASCII data
cv02 NODC converter for IFREMER Delayed Mode ASCII data
DDDD Resolve duplications within a single satellite pass in the drifting buoy system.
DM01 NODC converter of NODC UBT format to MEDS format
DM02 NODC converter of NODC Station Data format to MEDS format
DM03 NODC converter of NODC IBT format to MEDS format
DM04 NODC converter of Navy Declassified IBT format to MEDS format
DMAC Assign a MEDS cruise number to the stations.
dupc NODC duplicate software
edup NODC exact duplicate checking software for Oracle database
fxdm NODC fix program. Inserts an accession number, fixes NODC PLAT codes, and fixes the profile_seg for profile type PSAL
FXOB NODC Sybase SQL procedure to fix the time of ObsEpoch where it differs from the dateString in the station table. Problem resulted from "wscf" WOCE Update software.
gced NODC GTSPP Quality Control Cruise Track Software
gdpZ NODC GTSPP software to remove duplicate stations found in an input file or in the database.
gt01 NODC converter of SEAS III XBT format to GTSPP format
gt02 NODC converter of TSDC1 XBT format to GTSPP format
gt03 NODC converter of SEAS II XBT format to GTSPP format
gt04 NODC converter of CEADO XBT format to GTSPP format
gt05 NODC converter of TSDC2 XBT format to GTSPP format
gt06 NODC converter of CSIRO TOGA XBT format to GTSPP format
gt07 NODC converter of NODC UBT format to GTSPP format
gt08 NODC converter of TAMU XBT (1-labelled fields) format to GTSPP format
gt09 NODC converter of TAMU XBT (2-columnar fields) format to GTSPP format
gt11 NODC converter of JODC XBT format to GTSPP format
gt12 NODC converter of AODC XBT format to GTSPP format
gt13 NODC converter of AODC XBT (2-RV Franklin) format to GTSPP format
gt14 NODC converter of NODC CTD/STD (F022) format to GTSPP format
gt15 NODC converter of TAMU CTD (1-labelled fields) format to GTSPP format
gt19 NODC converter of NODC Station (SD1) format to GTSPP format
gt23 NODC converter of CSIRO meds format to GTSPP format
idup NODC inexact duplicates software for ORACLE database
IGO3 NODC duplicates checking software.
IG02 MEDS software that converts the real-time IGOSS data to the new Ocean processing structure.
IG03 MEDS duplicates checking software.
IG04 The duplicates review software.
IG05 The quality control software which checks ocean profiles.
IG06 MEDS program to convert Bulletin times
IMCV Convert IML CTD to ocean processing
IOC1 Convert IOS header/data format to ocean processing
isql NODC Sybase SQL procedure to re-set QC temp flags from "2" to "1 in database if failed Levitus Climatology (WOCE RSC's request)
JP01 MEDS convert Japanese JHD data to MEDS format
ld00 NODC initial load program for transferring data from Sybase database to ORACLE database.
ld01 NODC load program for incoming real time and delayed mode MEDS ASCII data (ORACLE)
ld02 NODC load program for returned SIO Science Center QC'd data for the Pacific Ocean (ORACLE)
ld03 NODC load program for returned CSIRO Science Center QC'd data for the Indian Ocean (ORACLE)
ld04 NODC GTSPP update program for AOML Science Center QC'd data for the Atlantic Ocean (ORACLE)
ld05 NODC Fix program for GTSPP data mismatch (ORACLE)
MNCV MEDS reformat program MONCTON CTD CONV
NACV Convert NAFC digital BT to ocean processing
OCUP Update the Archive
p101 NODC converter of Bundesamtes fur Seeschiffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH) to GTSPP format
p2Dp NODC Duplicates software
p2Ws Convert NODC nodcDB format to Sybase, GTSPP format
p3Ws Convert NODC OPDB format to Sybase, GTSPP format
QCAD NODC Delayed mode version of QCA1.
QCA1 The quality control software which checks that the space and time location as well as the identification of a station is sensible.
qcPr NODC GTSPP QC Profiles software
QCR1 AOML XBT QC Software
RED1 Software to reduce the number of observations in a profile.
RFMT Reformat PINRO data to ocean processing
SIPE SCRIPPS QC software (station has been edited at SIO, and the appropriate QC marks are written to the original files from NODC)
SIPP SCRIPPS QC software (station has been processed at SIO)
sumQ NODC software which checks to see if data quality code is present
tstm NODC software for ORACLE database ensuring data is in the proper medsascii format
TCTE IFREMER/TOGA Subsurface Data Center Duplicates software
TCXX IFREMER/TOGA Subsurface Data Center QC software
TSDC IFREMER/TOGA Subsurface Data Center QC software
v3cd Retrieves data from the ORACLE database and applies depth correction as needed (CD only)
WHCV Convert Woods Hole BT data to ocean processing
WOCB WOCE QC Cook Book Codes (CSIRO)
wscf NODC update software to build WOCE Science Center flags in Sybase database
XED1 AOML XBT Edit software
 
 
GTSPP Code Table QUALITY FLAG
Q_Parm (Parameter Quality Flag)
surfacecodes_qparm (Surface Codes Quality Flag)
DEPH_qparm (Depth_Pressure Quality Flag)
TEMP_qparm (Temperature Quality Flag)
PSAL_qparm (Salinity Quality Flag)
station_position_qualityDate-Time_quality
worst_quality_flag_in_the_station
Code Description
0 no quality control (QC) was performed.
1 QC was performed; good data.
2 QC was performed; probably good data.
3 QC was performed; probably bad data.
4 QC was performed; bad data.
5 the value was changed as a result of QC.
9 the value is missing
 
 
GTSPP Code Table STANDARD (Observation standards)
Code Description
For Salinity
0 No salinity measured
1 In situ sensor, accuracy better than 0.02 (PSU)
2 In situ sensor, accuracy less than 0.02 (PSU)
3 Sample analysis (PSU)
4 Unknown accuracy (PSU)
5 In situ sensor, accurate to 0.001 (PSU)
B Accuracy is between 0.001 and 0.002 (PSU)
C Accuracy is between 0.002 and 0.005 (PSU)
E Accuracy is between 0.01 and 0.02 (PSU)
F Accuracy is between 0.02 and 0.05 (PSU)
H Accuracy is between 0.1 and 0.2 (PSU)
I Accuracy is greater than 0.2 (PSU)
P Practical salinity units (PSU)
S pre-1982 salinity units (PPT)
U unknown salinity units
For Temperature
0 No temperature measured
1 In situ sensor, precision to 0.01 degrees C
2 In situ sensor, precision to 0.1 degrees C
4 Unknown accuracy (degrees C)
5 In situ sensor, accurate to 0.001 degrees C
B Accuracy is between 0.001 and 0.002 degrees C
C Accuracy is between 0.002 and 0.005 degrees C
E Accuracy is between 0.01 and 0.02 degrees C
F Accuracy is between 0.02 and 0.05 degrees C
H Accuracy is between 0.1 and 0.2 degrees C
I Accuracy is greater than 0.2 degrees C
U Unknown temperature units
 
 
GTSPP Code Table STATUS CODE
Code Description
1 Real time data
2 Real time data with Science QC
3 Delayed mode data
4 Delayed mode data with Science QC
 
 
GTSPP Code Table UFLAG (Record update code)
Code Description
D Delete this station from the file
R Replace existing station with this one
S Skip this station during update
U Add this station to file during update
 
 
Water Colour (Forel-Ule scale)
Code Description
00 Deep blue
10 Blue
20 Greenish blue
30 Bluish green
40 Green
50 Light green
60 Yellowish green
70 Yellow green
80 Green yellow
90 Greenish yellow
99 Yellow
 
 
MEDSCode Table WIND Force (knots)
Code Description
0 Calm
1 1-3 knots
2 4-6 knots
3 7-10 knots
4 11-16 knots
5 17-21 knots
6 22-27 knots
7 28-33 knots
8 34+ knots
9 No observation
 
 
WIND Direction (octants)
Code Description
0 Calm
1 N = 338-22 degrees true
2 NE = 23-67 degrees true
3 E = 68-112 degrees true
4 SE = 113-157 degrees true
5 S = 158-202 degrees true
6 SW = 203-247 degrees true
7 W = 248-292 degrees true
8 NW = 293-337 degrees true
9 No observation
 
 
Flag (ICEF) for ICE in Vicinity of Hydrographic Observations. One character code to indicate the occurrence of ice within the vicinity of a hydrographic station. Coded according to the ICES system as follows:
Code Description
0 No ice
1 Ice present in vicinity but not identified as to type or amount
2 Few bergs (10 or less)
3 Many bergs (more than 10)
4 Pack ice more than 1 nautical mile from station; coverage 6/10 or less
5 Pack ice more than 1 nautical mile from station; coverage more than 6/10
6 Pack ice less than 1 nautical mile from station; coverage 6/10 or less
7 Pack ice less than 1 nautical mile from station; coverage more than 6/10
8 Station actually within heavy concentration of ice e.g. observations from ice islands, drifting pack, beset vessels, fast ice
9 No observations of ice made