The Role of the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set in the Sustained Ocean Observing System

Abstract

The International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS) is an archive of in situ marine surface observations and products, which has been developed over 25 years. The current Release 2.5 spans 1662-2007 and has preliminary monthly updates for 2008 onwards. ICOADS is a worldwide respected reference dataset, combining data from multiple sustained ocean observing systems. In this paper, the impact of ICOADS on associated advanced data products and research is reviewed, the improvements in data composition and coverage relative to the previous Release are illustrated, the positive influence and support from the international collaborators is described, the free and open access is recounted, and the future objectives and recommendations to the community are defined.

The Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) Scheme

“…One proposed initiative, tentatively called "Climate ICOADS", aims to achieve this though incorporating the results of research efforts, which have developed adjustments for a range of known biases, including diurnal ship heating, Beaufort wind adjustments, and for instrument height and type [9].…”

The Data Management System for the Shipboard Automated Meteorological and Oceanographic System (SAMOS) Initiative

“…the International Comprehensive Ocean Atmosphere Data Set, ICOADS, [16]). VOS (and many other types of in-situ marine) data are contributed to ICOADS either through real-time data exchange on the GTS or through delayed-mode data transfer [14].…”

“…Delayed-mode transfer of WOCE meteorological data has occurred from the DAC to ICOADS [16] using the International Maritime Meteorological Archive (IMMA; [14]) format. IMMA supports embedded metadata and can hold more precise data than is possible using current JCOMM delayed-mode exchange formats.…”

Ocean Data: Collectors to Archives

“…[17]) the values of knitting together a fairly wide spectrum of ocean data in the ICOADS (International Comprehensive OceanAtmosphere Data Set, http://icoads.noaa.gov/) aiming primarily at creating more easily usable data and products for the research community. Moreover, JCOMM is seeking further modernization and streamlining of some existing facets of delayed mode data handling, linked with ICOADS, to achieve further benefits [18].…”

“…[24]) as well as downstream projects (e.g. [17]). As data centres examine the data that have arrived, it is common for questions to arise about the instruments used, about the methods, about the validity of some of the measurements, or other attributes.…”