Near-real-time quality-controlled radiometric profiles acquired by Bio-Argo floats

Vertical profiles of Photosynthetically Available Radiation (PAR) and downward irradiance (Ed) at 3 wavelengths (380, 412 and 490 nm) are routinely acquired by autonomous Bio-Argo floats. The database here presented includes radiometric profiles that have been quality-controlled using a specifically developed procedure for real-time distribution of data. The procedure is aimed at verifying only the shape of profiles. In each profile, dark signal, atmospheric clouds, spikes and wave focusing are flagged in a way compliant with the Argo real-time data management system. These data are therefore totally adapted to derive optical quantities such as the diffuse light attenuation coefficients. No quality control on the measured irradiance quantity is performed, which would require development of delayed-mode quality-control procedures.