The document discusses OceanSITES, a project that collects long-term, high-frequency ocean observations from fixed locations worldwide. OceanSITES aims to collect multidisciplinary data from the full water column and overlying atmosphere. It provides unique temporal behavior insights and reference data to complement other observation approaches. The network benefits members through data sharing and access to infrastructure, training, and leadership opportunities. It holds annual meetings and has over 50 observation sites making physical, optical, biological and chemical measurements globally. A microcat sensor project added more deep ocean temperature and salinity sensors. Data is managed through a format and shared using two global data centers.

1. OceanSITES
Taking the pulse of the global ocean
Co-chairs: Robert Weller (WHOI)
Uwe Send (SCRIPS)
projectoffice@oceansites.org

2. OceanSITES Mission
2
Mission:
The mission of OceanSITES is to collect, deliver and
promote the use of high-quality data from long-term, high-
frequency observations at fixed locations in the open
ocean.
OceanSITES typically aim to collect multidisciplinary data
worldwide from the full-depth water column as well as the
overlying atmosphere.
Rationale:
Time series observations at critical or representative locations are one essential
element of a global ocean observing system to complement a range of other
approaches. They can provide: a unique view of the full temporal behavior of a
system; accurate reference and long-time baseline data; and the maximum
possible range of interlinked variables from the seafloor to the atmosphere while
enabling shared resources.

3. Benefits for PI or program to join
OceanSITES
A. Be part of a large network of partners which
B. Gain access to and enhance usership of infrastructure
C. Get assistance for initiating new sustained time-series
programs
D. Gain access to and assistance with
E. Through GDAC mechanism
F. Impacts of your observations
G. Contribute to or become part of other regional or international
programs
H. Gain access to training and student resources
I. Gain access to OceanSITES leadership opportunities (Steering
Committee, Executive Committee, Chair candidature)
J. Contribute to socioeconomic value/benefits/issues

4. OceanSITES Documents
Developed new structure for communicating the project with a
sequence of separate documents:
– Mission Statement
– Benefits of joining the network
– What is an OceanSITES
– Goals and Objectives of OceanSITES
– Governance document
– How to become an OceanSITES
– Performance metrics

5. OceanSITES Community
• Executive committee , Co-chairs
Robert Weller, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Uwe Send, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
• Data Management Team, Chair
Derrick Snowden, of NOAA/US Integrated Ocean Observing System
• Hold annual meetings to discuss issues, develop procedures
and information exchange with other groups.
2014 10th Steering Committee and 7th Data Management Team Meetings in Recife,
Brazil jointly with the Tropical Atlantic Variability/PIRATA and the Brazil-
European Union (EU) Dialogues in Marine Research Meeting.
11th Steering Committee and 8th Data Management Team Meetings planned for
Southampton, U.K., April 2016

6. Status of OceanSITES
• Most of the sites are occupied by moorings, either
surface or subsurface. Many sites make the basic
physical measurements (pressure, temperature,
conductivity, and velocity).
• Some sites includes optical, biological, and chemical
sensors.
• At selected sites, arrays for the purpose of observing
transport or regional processes (e.g., the equatorial
moored arrays).

7. Status of OceanSITES

8. Status of OceanSITES

9. OceanSITES – Country Contributions

10. Status of OceanSITES - Measurements

11. Status of OceanSITES - Measurements

12. Status of OceanSITES - Measurements

13. OceanSITES- Microcat Project
• At the 2011 07th OceanSITES SC meeting, it was decided to make use of the many
existing OceanSITES platforms in deep water to make an "instant" contribution towards the
gap in deep- ocean observations. OceanSITES at over 50 sites around the world already
carry deep temperature/salinity (T/S) sensors. OceanSITES members had a goal to deploy
another 50, which requires 50 sensors for the initial deployments and another 50 for
swapping out and calibrations
• OceanSITES PIs have pledged to add such sensors to their existing moorings and as of
August 2015 26 sensors were installed with an additional 10 are planned in the coming
year(s).
• In addition to the sensor contribution by PIs, OceanSITES has a pool of matching sensors
for the swap-outs via donations from institutions, agencies and companies. The community
has nearly 50 instruments in the “pool” for exchanging and adding to sites around the
world.
• This map shows the sites with previously existed temp/salinity sensors in pink. Newly
installed under the temp/salinity project in blue and planned installations in yellow.

14. Status of OceanSITES - Microcat

15. OceanSITES – Data Management
• OceanSITES has an active Data Management Team (DMT) that
works with site PIs to share data in a common NetCDF format.
• The format specifications have been developed by the DMT in
collaboration with the Steering Committee and Exec Board.
• DMT developed two documents and are available on website
 Data Format Reference Manual (formerly User’s Guide)
 Data Providers Guide
• Two global data centers (GDACs) are
 IFREMER ftp://ftp.ifremer.fr/ifremer/oceansites/
 NOAA/NDBC ftp://data.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/oceansites/

16. Status of OceanSITES -GDAC