Metadata specific to water sample data

Please also read the general guide to data submission.

Collection details

• Ship and cruise identifier.
• Project (if applicable).
• CTD station identifier (if appropriate).
• Sample identifier (i.e. bottle number, rosette position or firing sequence).
• Date/time of the measurement.
• Position and method of position fix (i.e. DGPS, GPS).
• Water column depth (if applicable) — include method — i.e. sounding and methodology, chart.
• Depth of sample (if applicable).

Instrument details

• Instrument description, reference number, manufacturer and model, any relevant calibration information, sampling rate (as appropriate) — provide a literature reference, web site reference or brief description.

Analysis

• A description of or reference to full laboratory methods and procedures.
• Sub sampling for the particular TEI, i.e. filter type, size and pore size.  Rinse protocol and bottle storage type and pre-cleaning.  For actual sub-sampling conditions reference to sub sampling protocols and metadata can be used.
• Storage of samples before determination, time conditions etc.
• Standardisation method (type of standard. how prepared). Frequency of standardising, determination of precision.
• Details of any external sample analysis, including the laboratory name and accreditation level.
• A description of or reference to any internal or external quality assurance procedures.
• Comparison between GEOTRACES standards.

Data sampling/processing

• Reporting Units, editing and quality control methods.
• Identification of trace values (i.e. values below the detection limit).
• Handling of missing values (null versus zero, or 'blanks').
• Equations used for computed values.
• Precision of methods (i.e. number of significant figures).
• Quality control report.

References

Please provide references to the published literature

More on data submission.