Water Column Sonar Data Collection

Image of water column sonar data collected on the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer

The collection and analysis of water column sonar data is a relatively new avenue of research into the marine environment. Primary uses include assessing biological abundance, species identification,and habitat characterization. It is also useful for evaluating underwater gas seeps, characterizing the seafloor and bathymetry. The goals of this collection are to archive water column sonar data collected on NOAA, academic and international fleets, and to make the data available to researchers and the public around the world.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: National Centers for Environmental Information: Water Column Sonar Data Collection. National Centers for Environmental Information, NOAA. doi:10.7289/V5HT2M7C [access date]

Dataset Identifiers

doi:10.7289/V5HT2M7C

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.wcd:WCD_Collection

XML


Search Data	Water Column Sonar Data Map Viewer (search) Interactive map viewer to allow discovery and access to water column sonar data
Distribution Formats	Raw instrument files
Ordering Instructions	Contact the NCEI Water Column Sonar Data Manager to order data
Distributor	Water Column Sonar Data Manager NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (303) 497-4742 wcd.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact	Water Column Sonar Data Manager NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (303) 497-4742 wcd.info@noaa.gov


Time Period	2001-07-15 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West:-180 East:180 South:-9.99549333357394 North:88.4598445534747
Spatial Coverage Map


Associated Resources	Data Stewardship Maturity Report for Water Column Sonar Data Collection DSMR Publication at the NOAA Institutional Repository Report documenting the Scientific Data Stewardship Maturity for this dataset.


Publication Dates	creation: 2011-05-11
Dataset Progress Status	Under development - data is currently in the process of being created
Data Update Frequency	Irregular - Updated as needed
Purpose	The intent of the Water Column Sonar Data Collection is to archive and make available water column sonar data to researchers and the public for a wide variety of uses such as fisheries studies, ocean properties and seafloor characteristics.
Use Limitations	These data are considered raw and have not been subjected to the NOAA's quality control or quality assurance procedures. They are released for limited public use as preliminary data to be used only with appropriate caution. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. Produced by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Not subject to copyright protection within the United States.


Dataset Citation	Cite as: National Centers for Environmental Information: Water Column Sonar Data Collection. National Centers for Environmental Information, NOAA. doi:10.7289/V5HT2M7C [access date]
Custodians	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Resource Providers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information


Theme keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Ocean Acoustics > Acoustic Scattering EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Aquatic Sciences > Fisheries EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Bathymetry EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Ecosystems "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Ecosystems > Marine Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Ecosystems > Benthic Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Ecosystems > Pelagic Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Seafloor Topography
Data Center keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce DOC/NOAA/NMFS > National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Instrument keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Profilers/Sounders >Acoustic Sounders >WCMS >Water Column Mapping System
Place keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords Global Sea Floor


Use Constraints	Cite as: National Centers for Environmental Information: Water Column Sonar Data Collection. National Centers for Environmental Information, NOAA. doi:10.7289/V5HT2M7C [access date]
Access Constraints	Data is publicly available and free to use
Fees	Free

Lineage information for:series
Processor	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Processing Steps	The primary data in this collection consists of raw instrument files that were submitted to NGDC for archive. in addition, ancillary files such as water column profile data are also included. these files were submitted to NGDC through hard drive delivery, R2R or ftp. When possible, checksum values are compared to verify file integrity before being added to the archive. No other processing or quality control steps are applied ot data.

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument

Last Modified: 2022-02-03

For questions about the information on this page, please email:wcd.info@noaa.gov