Bio-optical Database of the Arctic Ocean

The Arctic bio-optical database assembles a diverse suite of biological
and optical data from 34 expeditions throughout the Arctic Ocean. Data
combined into a single AO database following the OBPG criteria (Pegau et
al. 2003), as was done in the development of the global NASA Bio-optical
Marine Algorithm Data Set (NOMAD) (Werdell 2005, Werdell & Bailey
2005). This Arctic database combines coincident in situ observations of
IOPs, apparent optical properties (AOPs), Chl a, environmental data (e.g.
temperature, salinity) and station metadata (e.g. sampling depth,
latitude, longitude, date). Data were acquired from the NASA SeaWiFS
Bio-optical Archive and Storage System (SeaBASS,
https://seabass.gsfc.nasa.gov/), the LEFE CYBER database
(http://www.obs-vlfr.fr/proof/index2.php), the Data and Sample Research
System for Whole Cruise Information in JAMSTEC (DARWIN,
http://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp), NOMAD, and individual contributors. To
ensure consistency, data were limited to those that were collected using
OBPG defined protocols (Pegau et al. 2003). Only observations shallower
that 30 m were included. For spectral parameters, we included data at the
following wavelengths that are used by satellite and thus are relevant for
ocean color algorithm evaluation: 412, 443, 469, 488, 490, 510, 531, 547,
555, 645, 667, 670 and 678 nm. In situ measurements were binned at the
same station if measurements were within 8 hours and 1° of distance
(Werdell & Bailey 2005). For regional analyses, each station was
assigned to one of ten sub-regions and three functional shelf-types
(Carmack et al. 2006).