BODC

Parameter dictionary

The development of parameter coding systems is by no means new to oceanographic data management. For example, IOC published a parameter code table as part of the documentation for the GF3 format and US-NODC developed a taxonomic coding system for phytoplankton that is now part of the Interagency Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). However, when BODC came to develop a fully normalised database structure based on parameter codes for the atmospheric, water column and biogeochemical data, no existing parameter coding system could fully satisfy the specification required.

BODC has therefore developed a parameter dictionary to enable a multi-disciplinary normalised database to be used for project data management. The dictionary is made publicly available and is currently used by German JGOFS data management and the ICES database in addition to its use in BODC projects.