From Ocean Teacher Library
Data from Tagged BiotaContents |
Background
In the last few years, instrumentation and telecommunications technology have developed such that it has become feasible to attach tracking tags as well as sensors to animals that spend their lives at sea. Examples of these programmes include the Tagging of Pacific Predators (TOPP) and the Ocean Tracking Network. The main thrust of these programmes is to monitor the positions and movements of animals. They both use technology that does not yet monitor ocean conditions and is not amenable to reporting information in real-time. An OceanObs'09 Community White Paper on the Ocean Tracking Network provides details on this programme and another explains the TOPP programme. Because there is no ability to report in real-time, no further information will be provided here.
There is another programme, co-ordinated by the University of St. Andrews' Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU). This programme attaches CTD (conductivity/salinity, temperature and depth) recorders to larger mammals. These last typically last up to a year before falling off or the battery fails. The CTDs record temperature and salinity as the animal dives, and upon surfacing these data are transmitted through satellite to shore. There were two Community White Papers presented at OceanObs'09 on this programme. One described the programme, and the other described some of the results.
There are many countries that employ these sorts of tags, but the initial processing of data returned is carried out by SMRU. Anyone considering using such technology, should consult with them. It is also worthwhile to talk to the JCOMMOPSoffice for help getting started.
Step 1: Getting data ashore
Researchers who wish to participate in the activities co-ordinated by SMRU are not required to release their data in real-time. However, many have agreed to do so. The data collected in waters where the animals swim is especially important in monitoring the world ocean and in the development of operational ocean models and forecasting. These animals often swim in regions that are difficult for ships to operate in, or far from ports. Also, many times they are in regions close to sea ice which are hazardous to ship operations and automated instruments. All researchers deploying such instruments are encouraged to permit real-time release of their data. This simply requires appropriate notification to SMRU.
These instruments typically report through the facilities of Service Argos. The reporting is very similar to all other instruments handled by Service Argos. The difference is that researchers allow the raw data to be assembled by SMRU who then do the processing to reliably establish position information. The resulting data can then be provided directly to researchers. Researchers can choose to manage getting data to the Global Telecommunications System (GTS) by themselves, or if real-time distribution permission is given, SMRU will move the data to the GTS on their behalf.
Step 2: Getting platform identifiers
Like all conventional platforms making measurements at sea and reporting in real-time, data coming from animals must have appropriate identifiers. A block of numbers has been assigned by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to the SMRU for use in this programme. Each animal is assigned a unique identifier (preceded by “Q99” as the identifier is seen on the GTS). When the reports from an animal cease, the number is retired, never to be used again.
If you choose to do this work on your own, speak to SMRU in any case to get advice on how to get identifiers.
Step 3: Formating data for the GTS
After the data come ashore and have platform identifiers, they must be converted to the appropriate character code form (usually BATHY or TESAC) or into BUFR for distribution on the GTS. The simplest way to do this is to allow SMRU to take care of this process for you. In this they are supported by the British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC). The BODC takes the raw data provided by SMRU, converts them to appropriate formats and provides them to the U.K Meteorological Office for distribution on the GTS.
If you don't wish to use the services of SMRU, it may be that BODC can still assist. You may wish to contact them directly to ask.
If your country already has systems in place for formatting and delivering data to the GTS, your only task is to contact the people operating them. To identify them, it is simplest to contact the SOT technical Coordinator, or the SOOP Chairor speak to your country's national meteorological service.Another avenue would be to talk to your national co-ordinatorfor oceanographic data, if you have one, or speak to IODEfor assistance.
If you decide to format data yourself for the GTS, you are encouraged to have an independent organization verify that you have created your format correctly. Your meteorological service may be able to help, or you can contact BODC.
Step 4: Quality Control
Data providers are encouraged to examine the data they collect and to remove the most egregious errors that are present. However, it is encouraged to be cautious in doing this since outliers may be real and to miss these will skew our perception of what is happening in the ocean. Users of GTS data are aware that very detailed quality control cannot take place before the data are distributed in real-time and they accept that they will need to carry out quality control procedures on the data that are distributed.
If SMRU is given permission to distribute the data on your behalf, they in conjunction with BODC will carry out some quality checks. These are the same as would be used for any lowered instrument data (see that document in the Digital Library).
If you decide to prepare the data yourself, you are encouraged to look at the Digital Library document “Lowered Instrument Data” and follow the links that point to quality control procedures.
Additional Resources
GTS: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/TEM/GTS/ManOnGTS_en.html
WMO: http://www.wmo.int/pages/index_en.html
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Information about this article
Short title: Data from Tagged Biota
Description: Step-by-step instructions for getting such data on the GTS.
Expertise level: beginner
Author: bob.keeley
Approval status: approved
Approved by: bob.keeley
Last change: 2012-2-10
Subsection of: Exchanging Ocean Data in Real-time
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