Argo GDAC NetCDF Format Description

Variable name (size) Data type Attribute name Attribute value
DATA_TYPE(STRING16) char    
    comment "Data type"
    _FillValue " "
FORMAT_VERSION(STRING4) char    
    comment "File format version"
HANDBOOK_VERSION(STRING4) char    
    comment "Data handbook version"
    _FillValue " "
REFERENCE_DATE_TIME(DATE_TIME) char    
    comment "Date of reference for Julian days"
    conventions "YYYYMMDDHHMISS"
    _FillValue " "
PLATFORM_NUMBER(N_PROF, STRING8) char    
    long_name "Float unique identifier"
    conventions "WMO float identifier : A9IIIII"
    _FillValue " "
PROJECT_NAME(N_PROF, STRING64) char    
    comment "Name of the project"
    _FillValue " "
PI_NAME(N_PROF, STRING64) char    
    comment "Name of the principal investigator"
    _FillValue " "
STATION_PARAMETERS(N_PROF, N_PARM, STRING4) char    
    long_name "List of available parameters for the station"
    conventions "Argo referenece table 3"
    _FillValue " "
CYCLE_NUMBER(N_PROF) int    
    long_name "Float cycle number"
    conventions "0..N, 0 : launch cycle (if exists) ,
1: first complete cycle"
    _FillValue 99999
DIRECTION(N_PROF) char    
    long_name "Direction of the station profiles"
    conventions "A: ascending profiles, D: descending profiles"
    _FillValue " "
DATA_CENTRE(N_PROF, STRING2) char    
    long_name "Data centre in charge of float data processing"
    conventions "Argo reference table 4"
    _FillValue " "
DATA_CREATION(DATE_TIME) char    
    comment "Date of file creation"
    conventions "YYYYMMDDHHMISS"
    _FillValue " "
DATA_UPDATE(DATE_TIME) char    
    long_name "Date of update of this file"
    conventions "YYYYMMDDHHMISS"
    _FillValue " "
DC_REFERENCE(N_PROF, STRING32) char    
    long_name "Station unique identifier in data centre"
    conventions "Data centre convention"
    _FillValue " "
DATA_STATE_INDICATOR(N_PROF, STRING4) char    
    long_name "Degree of processing the data have passed through"
    conventions "Argo reference table 6"
DATA_MODE(N_PROF) char    
    long_name "Delayed mode or real time data"
    conventions "R : real time; D : delayed mode"
    _FillValue " "
INST_REFERENCE(N_PROF, STRING64) char    
    long_name "Instrument type"
    conventions "Brand, type, serial number"
    _FillValue " "
WMO_INST_TYPE(N_PROF, STRING4) char    
    long_name "Coded instrument type"
    conventions "Argo reference table 8"
    _FillValue " "
JULD(N_PROF) double    
    long_name "Julian day (UTC) of the station relative to REFERENCE_DATE_TIME"
    units "days since 1950-01-01 00:00:00 UTC"
    conventions "Relative julian days with decimal part (as parts of day)"
    _FillValue 999999.
JULD_QC(N_PROF) char    
    long_name "Quality on Date and Time"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue 999999.
JULD_LOCATION(N_PROF) double    
    long_name "Julian day (UTC) of the location relative to REFERENCE_DATE_TIME"
    units "days since 1950-01-01 00:00:00 UTC"
    conventions "Relative julian days with decimal part (as parts of day)"
    _FillValue 999999.
LATITUDE(N_PROF) double    
    long_name "Latitude of the station, best estimate"
    units "degree_north"
    _FillValue 99999.
    valid_min -90.
    valid_max 90.
LONGITUDE(N_PROF) double    
    long_name "Logitude of the station, best estimate"
    units "degree_east"
    _FillValue 99999.
    valid_min -180.
    valid_max 180.
POSITION_QC(N_PROF) char    
    long_name "Quality on position (latitude and longitude)"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
POSITIONING_SYSTEM(N_PROF, STRING8) char    
    long_name "Positioning system"
    _FillValue " "
PROFILE_PRES_QC(N_PROF) char    
    long_name "Global quality flag of PRES profile"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
PROFILE_TEMP_QC(N_PROF) char    
    long_name "Global quality flag of TEMP profile"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
PROFILE_PSAL_QC(N_PROF) char    
    long_name "Global quality flag of PSAL profile"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
PROFILE_CNDC_QC(N_PROF) char    
    long_name "Global quality flag of CNDC profile"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
PROFILE_DOXY_QC(N_PROF) char    
    long_name "Global quality flag of DOXY profile"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
PRES(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "SEA PRESSURE"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "decibar"
    valid_min 0.f
    valid_max 12000.f
    comment "In situ measurement, sea surface = 0"
    C_format "%7.1f"
    FORTRAN_format "F7.1"
    resolution 0.1f
PRES_QC(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) char    
    long_name "quality flag"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
PRES_ADJUSTED(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "SEA PRESSURE"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "decibar"
    valid_min 0.f
    valid_max 12000.f
    comment "In situ measurement, sea surface = 0"
    C_format "%7.1f"
    FORTRAN_format "F7.1"
    resolution 0.1f
PRES_ADJUSTED_QC(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) char    
    long_name "quality flag"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
PRES_ADJUSTED_ERROR(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "SEA PRESSURE"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "decibar"
    comment "Contains the error on the adjusted values as determined by the delayed mode QC process."
    C_format "%7.1f"
    FORTRAN_format "F7.1"
    resolution 0.1f
TEMP(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "SEA TEMPERATURE"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "degree_Celsius"
    valid_min -2.f
    valid_max 40.f
    comment "In situ measurement"
    C_format "%9.3f"
    FORTRAN_format "F9.3"
    resolution 0.001f
TEMP_QC(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) char    
    long_name "quality flag"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
TEMP_ADJUSTED(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "SEA TEMPERATURE"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "degree_Celsius"
    valid_min -2.f
    valid_max 40.f
    comment "In situ measurement"
    C_format "%9.3f"
    FORTRAN_format "F9.3"
    resolution 0.001f
TEMP_ADJUSTED_QC(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) char    
    long_name "quality flag"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
TEMP_ADJUSTED_ERROR(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "SEA TEMPERATURE"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "degree_Celsius"
    comment "Contains the error on the adjusted values as determined by the delayed mode QC process."
    C_format "%9.3f"
    FORTRAN_format "F9.3"
    resolution 0.001f
PSAL(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "PRACTICAL SALINITY"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "psu"
    valid_min 0.f
    valid_max 42.f
    comment "In situ measurement"
    C_format "%9.3f"
    FORTRAN_format "F9.3"
    resolution 0.001f
PSAL_QC(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) char    
    long_name "quality flag"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
PSAL_ADJUSTED(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "PRACTICAL SALINITY"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "psu"
    valid_min 0.f
    valid_max 42.f
    comment "In situ measurement"
    C_format "%9.3f"
    FORTRAN_format "F9.3"
    resolution 0.001f
PSAL_ADJUSTED_QC(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) char    
    long_name "quality flag"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
PSAL_ADJUSTED_ERROR(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "PRACTICAL SALINITY"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "psu"
    comment "Contains the error on the adjusted values as determined by the delayed mode QC process."
    C_format "%9.3f"
    FORTRAN_format "F9.3"
    resolution 0.001f
CNDC(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "mhos/m"
    valid_min 0.f
    valid_max 60.f
    comment "In situ measurement"
    C_format "%10.4f"
    FORTRAN_format "F10.4"
    resolution 1.e-04f
CNDC_QC(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) char    
    long_name "quality flag"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
CNDC_ADJUSTED(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "mhos/m"
    valid_min 0.f
    valid_max 60.f
    comment "In situ measurement"
    C_format "%10.4f"
    FORTRAN_format "F10.4"
    resolution 1.e-04f
CNDC_ADJUSTED_QC(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) char    
    long_name "quality flag"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
CNDC_ADJUSTED_ERROR(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "mhos/m"
    comment "Contains the error on the adjusted values as determined by the delayed mode QC process."
    C_format "%10.4f"
    FORTRAN_format "F10.4"
    resolution 1.e-04f
DOXY(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "DISSOLVED OXYGEN"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "mmol/kg"
    valid_min 0.f
    valid_max 650.f
    comment "In situ measurement"
    C_format "%9.3f"
    FORTRAN_format "F9.3"
    resolution 0.001f
DOXY_QC(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) char    
    long_name "quality flag"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
DOXY_ADJUSTED(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "DISSOLVED OXYGEN"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "mmol/kg"
    valid_min 0.f
    valid_max 650.f
    comment "In situ measurement"
    C_format "%9.3f"
    FORTRAN_format "F9.3"
    resolution 0.001f
DOXY_ADJUSTED_QC(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) char    
    long_name "quality flag"
    conventions "Argo reference table 2"
    _FillValue " "
DOXY_ADJUSTED_ERROR(N_PROF, N_LEVELS) float    
    long_name "DISSOLVED OXYGEN"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "mmol/kg"
    comment "Contains the error on the adjusted values as determined by the delayed mode QC process."
    C_format "%9.3f"
    FORTRAN_format "F9.3"
    resolution 0.001f
PARAMETER(N_PROF, N_CALIB, N_PARM, STRING4) char    
    long_name "List of parameters with calibration information"
    conventions "Argo reference table 3"
    _FillValue " "
SCIENTIFIC_CALIB_EQUATION(N_PROF, N_CALIB, N_PARM, STRING256) char    
    long_name "Calibration equation for this parameter"
    _FillValue " "
SCIENTIFIC_CALIB_COEFFICIENT(N_PROF, N_CALIB, N_PARM, STRING256) char    
    long_name Date of last action on record
    _FillValue " "
SCIENTIFIC_CALIB_COMMENT(N_PROF, N_CALIB, N_PARM, STRING256) char    
    long_name "Comment applying to this parameter calibration"
    _FillValue " "
CALIBRATION_DATE(N_PROF, N_CALIB, N_PARM, DATE_TIME) char    
    _FillValue " "
HISTORY_INSTITUTION(N_HISTORY, N_PROF, STRING4) char    
    long_name "Institution which performed action"
    conventions "Argo reference table 4"
    _FillValue " "
HISTORY_STEP(N_HISTORY, N_PROF, STRING4) char    
    long_name "Step in data processing"
    conventions "Argo reference table 12"
    _FillValue " "
HISTORY_SOFTWARE(N_HISTORY, N_PROF, STRING4) char    
    long_name "Name of software which performed action"
    conventions "Institution dependant"
    _FillValue " "
HISTORY_SOFTWARE_RELEASE(N_HISTORY, N_PROF, STRING4) char    
    long_name "Version/release of software which performed action"
    conventions "Institution dependant"
    _FillValue " "
HISTORY_REFERENCE(N_HISTORY, N_PROF, STRING64) char    
    long_name "Reference of database"
    conventions "Institution dependant"
    _FillValue " "
HISTORY_DATE(N_HISTORY, N_PROF, DATE_TIME) char    
    long_name "Date the history record was created"
    conventions "YYYYMMDDHHMISS"
    _FillValue " "
HISTORY_ACTION(N_HISTORY, N_PROF, STRING4) char    
    long_name "Action performed on date"
    conventions "Argo reference table 7"
    _FillValue " "
HISTORY_PARAMETER(N_HISTORY, N_PROF, STRING4) char    
    long_name "Station parameter action is performed on"
    conventions "Argo reference table 3"
    _FillValue " "
HISTORY_START_PRES(N_HISTORY, N_PROF) float    
    long_name "Start pressure action applied on"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "decibar"
HISTORY_STOP_PRES(N_HISTORY, N_PROF) float    
    long_name "Stop pressure action applied on"
    _FillValue 99999.f
    units "decibar"
HISTORY_PREVIOUS_VALUE(N_HISTORY, N_PROF) float    
    long_name "Parameter/Flag previous vlaue before action"
    _FillValue 99999.f
HISTORY_QCTEST(N_HISTORY, N_PROF, STRING16) char    
    long_name "Documentation of tests performed, tests failed (in hex form)"
    conventions "Write tests performed when ACTION=QCP$; tests failed when ACTION=QCF$"
    _FillValue " "