Input database for SOCAT

The input database for SOCAT was compiled by Are Olsen and Benjamin Pfeil at the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research in Bergen, Norway.

All publicly available data and metadata archived at several data centers was gathered and missing data delivered by PIs. In order to meet the IOCCP recommended formats and ensure consistency it was decided to recompute fCO2 data whenever possible using a set of standard equations. Calculations were done according to Pierrot et al, 2009. Missing parameters like salinity and atmospheric pressure were extracted from standard global datasets (WOA 2005 and NCEP/NCAR), in addition to bathymetry added from ETOPO2.

In order to get the best possible result the whole process is transparent meaning that all Matlab scripts (download) and a detailed documentation (download) is available. Furthermore the data file shows the original input carbon dioxide parameter and which equation was used for recomputation.

The SOCAT compilation includes data from over 14 countries, producing an initial database composed of more than 2150 cruises from 1968 - 2007 with more than 7.5 million measurements of various carbon parameters available in a common format. Data within the initial compilation is first level quality controlled by the individual PI.