Below is a table of the principal NODC data storage (or data output)
formats and codes. Some may be quite old, but are listed here because they can still be obtained in these formats. This list covers only data stored in the NODC archive
databases; it does not include formats for all NODC data collections
on CD-ROM, DVD, or other various online projects. CD-ROM/DVD datasets and online projects are described in documentation files
included with each data product.
NODC Code lookup utilities (tools) - Country, Institution, Platform (Ships), Project, Person, Seaname. These codes are used throughout NODC's various formats and data bases.
Also, text lists are available using the following links:
NODC netCDF templates
Based off of Attribute Conventions for Dataset Discovery (ACDD), and Climate and Forecast (CF) Conventions. Please use the decision tree to identify which template works for your data. Then select the appropriate template below:
Documentation on WOD format description -
includes documentation necessary for accessing, reading, and using WOD data.
Codes used to read World Ocean Database data -
includes Institute codes, Country codes, Ship codes, etc...
Bioxls - Spreadsheet style format and conventions used by the World Ocean Database. This format is often found in the Ocean Archive System for older data sets that were converted from paper documents.
Satellite Oceanography Group Data Formats page
Taxonomic Code for Biological Species - this link will send you to ITIS, as NODC no longer maintains this code. We also have information about the
old Taxonomic Code CD-ROM that is now out-of-date.
*Data of these types received after 1994 are stored in originators' formats.
See the NODC Ocean Archive System for data stored exactly as we received it.
