http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset/894099
eng; USA
utf8
dataset
Highest level of data collection, from a common set of sensors or instrumentation, usually within the same research project
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
pointOfContact
2023-04-18
ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data
ISO 19115-2:2009(E)
Determination of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content in sinking particles at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site from December 1988 to June 2025 using a Particle Interceptor Trap System (PITS)
2026-02-15
publication
2026-02-15
revision
Marine Biological Laboratory/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Library (MBLWHOI DLA)
2023-04-27
publication
https://doi.org/10.26008/1912/bco-dmo.894099.1
Nicholas R. Bates
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Rodney J. Johnson
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Michael W. Lomas
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Deborah K. Steinberg
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
principalInvestigator
Lucinda Derbyshire
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Matthew Enright
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Matthew G. Hayden
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Paul J. Lethaby
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Debra Lomas
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Paloma Z. Lopez
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Rebecca May
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Dominic Smith
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Emma Stuart
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
principalInvestigator
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
publisher
Cite this dataset as: Bates, N. R., Johnson, R. J., Lomas, M. W., Steinberg, D. K., Derbyshire, L., Hayden, M. G., Lomas, D., Lethaby, P. J., Lopez, P. Z., May, R., Smith, D., Stuart, E., Enright, M. (2026) Determination of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content in sinking particles at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site from December 1988 to June 2025 using a Particle Interceptor Trap System (PITS). Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO). (Version 7) Version Date 2026-02-15 [if applicable, indicate subset used]. doi:10.26008/1912/bco-dmo.894099.7 [access date]
Sediment trap particle flux at BATS site from 1988-2025 Dataset Description: <p>Sinking particle data were collected from BATS cruises #3 (December 1988) through BATS cruise #428&nbsp;(June 2025). Nominal deployment location at BATS site&nbsp;(31°40' N, 64°10' W).<br />
<br />
Research was conducted on many research vessels including:</p>
<ul>
<li>R/V Weatherbird I&nbsp;</li>
<li>R/V Cape Henlopen&nbsp;</li>
<li>R/V Cape Hatteras&nbsp;</li>
<li>R/V Weatherbird II&nbsp;</li>
<li>R/V Oceanus</li>
<li>R/V Endeavor&nbsp;</li>
<li>R/V Neil Armstrong</li>
<li>R/V Atlantic Explorer&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p>Numerous chief scientists: Tony Knap, Rachel Dow, Anthony Michaels, Kjell Gundersen, Rodney Johnson, Ann Close, Deborah Steinberg, Paul Lethaby, Julian Mitchell, Vivienne Lochhead, Debra Lomas, Steven Bell, Jonathan Whitefield, Gwyn Evans, James Sadler, Samuel Monk, Samuel Stevens, Afonso Goncalves, Matt Enright, Fernando Pacheco, Zac Anderson, Claire Medley, and Dominic Smith.</p>
<p>Please see the Supplemental Files section for a listing of the cruises and associated measurements specific to this version of the BATS particle flux data (bats_flux_release_v007_updates.txt)</p> Methods and Sampling: <p><strong>Background</strong><br />
Particulate Organic Matter (POM) in the ocean consists of a variety of material such as live organisms, zooplankton carcasses, organic debris, zooplankton fecal pellets, transparent exopolymer particles, and minerals of both biogenic and terrestrial origin. The adhesive, coagulative nature of these particles leads to the formation of aggregates that become dense enough to sink towards the sea floor (McDonnell et al., 2011). It is well understood that the flux of marine particulate matter is a key process that links the surface with the deep ocean, and is a controlling factor in the distribution of many elements that form the building blocks of marine biota (Buesseler et al., 2007). These sinking particles are closely linked to the biological carbon pump (Ducklow et al., 2001), represent a key component in the ocean food web and can also act as a sink for inorganic minerals and pollutants that are scavenged by the sinking particles.</p>
<p><strong>Sample collection</strong><br />
The BATS program uses a method developed by Knauer et al. (1979), which was used extensively at the VERTEX time-series site in the northeast Pacific, and is suitable for the assay of all levels of sinking flux found in the ocean. Particle flux is collected within a floating array of polycarbonate tubes (7 cm diameter by 53 cm height) containing a buffered brine solution with polycarbonate filters at the bottom. During monthly cruises to the BATS site, tubes are deployed at three depths (150, 200, and 300 meters) for a target time of 72 hours, depending on weather and conditions. The array is tracked using Argos, Iridium, RDF, and AIS localization units.</p>
<p>Before the array is deployed, tubes are arranged in deployment racks for the different depths and filled with a heavy brine (~85 ppt) and 2% formalin solution.&nbsp; Equipment used and the specific arrangement of the array is represented in Figure 1 (See Supplemental Files section). Four tubes are deployed for carbon and nitrogen determinations, three tubes are deployed for phosphorus counts, and three tubes are prepared (but not deployed) for blank counts.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Upon recovery, the ambient seawater above the interface (at approximately half height of the tubes) is siphoned off and the brine in the lower half of the tube is drained through the filter by means of opening a valve. Tubes are disassembled inside a fume hood and the pre-weighed polycarbonate filters containing the flux sample are transferred to clean petri dishes. Samples are misted with pH buffer solution once in the petri dish to keep them moist. Misting is done during transfer of samples as well as during the time they remain stored at 4ºC until analysis. Care is taken to store samples no longer than 3 to 6 months to prevent any biological processes that could modify organic carbon contents.</p>
<p><strong>Sample analysis</strong><br />
After recovery, filters are examined under a microscope at 12x and 25x magnification to remove swimming zooplankton and other organisms which are not considered sediment flux. Manual removal is needed to prevent overestimation of sinking material that could skew the end results. The remaining flux on each filter is scraped into a bolus, dried and then placed into a silver capsule. For each depth, three samples are acidified to remove inorganic carbon prior to measurement of organic carbon and nitrogen.&nbsp;The non-acidified sample (fourth bolus)&nbsp;is measured for total carbon. Samples are analyzed with a CE440 Elemental Analyzer (Exeter Analytical), which combusts and reduces the sample, converting all C and N present into CO<sub>2</sub> and N<sub>2</sub>. These gas concentrations are measured by thermal conductivity detectors and converted to electrical millivolt signals. Calibration coefficients are then used to convert millivolt outputs to carbon and nitrogen concentrations in micrograms. Acetanilide conditioners and machine blanks are also run to standardize the instrument and monitor performance and accuracy during a run. (See Data Processing Section below for additional information).</p>
<p>The PITS samples that are collected for determination of total particulate phosphorus (PPhos) are analyzed at&nbsp;Bigelow Laboratory of Ocean Sciences following the methods described in Lomas et al. (2010). The PPhos samples have swimmers removed (as detailed above) and are then analyzed using the ash-hydrolysis method of Solarzano and Sharp (1980).&nbsp;This procedure does not separate inorganic from organic phosphorus so these results should be considered as total particulate phosphorus.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Considerations, concerns, and challenges</strong><br />
Sediment traps are the only tools for directly collecting sinking particles in the ocean. They are largely un-calibrated in the field and there are significant unresolved questions on their accuracy and precision. It is assumed that the collection of particles is linearly related to the aperture area of the sediment trap and that this collection is an accurate estimate of the mass of sinking particles at that depth and the particle sinking speeds. But hydrodynamics and other factors influence the collection of material by sediment traps so the interpretation of trap data should be approached with caution (Antia, 2005; Butman et al., 1986; Gardner et al., 1980; Kahler and Bauerfeind, 2001; Lee et al., 1988). The U.S. JGOFS Planning Report #10 provides an overview of these issues (U.S. JGOFS Planning Office, 1989) and there have been significant published papers on trap accuracy since that report.</p>
<ul>
<li>Any investigator using sediment traps should become aware of the facts and challenges in order to make informed decisions about appropriate methods for their investigation.</li>
<li>Any scientist looking to use sediment trap data should be familiar with the factors affecting flux estimates, the methods used for the study, and the assumptions made for the flux calculations</li>
</ul>
Funding provided by NSF Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE) Award Number: OCE-0752366 Award URL: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award?AWD_ID=0752366
Funding provided by NSF Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE) Award Number: OCE-1756105 Award URL: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award?AWD_ID=1756105
Funding provided by NSF Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE) Award Number: OCE-2241455 Award URL: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award?AWD_ID=2241455
onGoing
Nicholas R. Bates
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
1-441-297-1880
17 Biological Lane GE 01
St. Georges
Bermuda
nick.bates@bios.edu
pointOfContact
Rodney J. Johnson
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
441-297-1880
7 Biological Station
St. Georges
GE 01
Bermuda
rod.johnson@bios.edu
pointOfContact
Michael W. Lomas
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
207-315-2567 ext 311
60 Bigelow Drive PO Box 380
East Boothbay
ME
04544
United States
mlomas@bigelow.org
pointOfContact
Deborah K. Steinberg
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
804-684-7838
1370 Greate Rd.
Gloucester Point
VA
23062
USA
debbies@vims.edu
pointOfContact
Lucinda Derbyshire
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
Lucinda.Derbyshire@bios.edu
pointOfContact
Matthew Enright
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
pointOfContact
Matthew G. Hayden
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
508-289-2168
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
matthew.hayden@whoi.edu
pointOfContact
Paul J. Lethaby
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
Bermuda
paul.lethaby@bios.edu
pointOfContact
Debra Lomas
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
60 Bigelow Drive
East Boothbay
ME
04544
USA
dlomas@bigelow.org
pointOfContact
Paloma Z. Lopez
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
508-289-4918
paloma.lopez@whoi.edu
pointOfContact
Rebecca May
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
Rebecca.May@bios.edu
pointOfContact
Dominic Smith
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
Dominic.Smith@bios.edu
pointOfContact
Emma Stuart
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
emma.stuart@bios.asu.edu
pointOfContact
asNeeded
Dataset Version: 7
Unknown
Cruise_num
Cruise_type
Vessel
Date_deployed
Latitude_deployed
Longitude_deployed
Date_recovered
Latitude_recovery
Longitude_recovery
Depth
M1
M2
M3
M_avg
C1
C2
C3
C_avg
N1
N2
N3
N_avg
P1
P2
P3
P_avg
FBC1
FBC2
FBC3
FBC_avg
FBN1
FBN2
FBN3
FBN_avg
Exeter Analytical CE440 Elemental Analyzer
microscope
Particle Interceptor Trap System (PITS)
Particle Interceptor Trap System (PITS)
theme
None, User defined
Cruise identfier
cruise type
ship
ISO_DateTime_UTC
latitude
longitude
depth
flux
particulate organic carbon flux in sea water
mass flux of total nitrogen in sea water
flux of particulate phosphorus in sea water
featureType
BCO-DMO Standard Parameters
Elemental Analyzer
Microscope - Optical
Sediment Trap - Floating
Sediment Trap - Particle Interceptor
instrument
BCO-DMO Standard Instruments
BATS_cruises
service
Deployment Activity
Sargasso Sea
place
Locations
otherRestrictions
otherRestrictions
Access Constraints: none. Use Constraints: Please follow guidelines at: http://www.bco-dmo.org/terms-use Distribution liability: Under no circumstances shall BCO-DMO be liable for any direct, incidental, special, consequential, indirect, or punitive damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the materials in this data submission. If you are dissatisfied with any materials in this data submission your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue use.
Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry
http://us-ocb.org/
Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry
The Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry (OCB) program focuses on the ocean's role as a component of the global Earth system, bringing together research in geochemistry, ocean physics, and ecology that inform on and advance our understanding of ocean biogeochemistry. The overall program goals are to promote, plan, and coordinate collaborative, multidisciplinary research opportunities within the U.S. research community and with international partners. Important OCB-related activities currently include: the Ocean Carbon and Climate Change (OCCC) and the North American Carbon Program (NACP); U.S. contributions to IMBER, SOLAS, CARBOOCEAN; and numerous U.S. single-investigator and medium-size research projects funded by U.S. federal agencies including NASA, NOAA, and NSF.
The scientific mission of OCB is to study the evolving role of the ocean in the global carbon cycle, in the face of environmental variability and change through studies of marine biogeochemical cycles and associated ecosystems.
The overarching OCB science themes include improved understanding and prediction of: 1) oceanic uptake and release of atmospheric CO2 and other greenhouse gases and 2) environmental sensitivities of biogeochemical cycles, marine ecosystems, and interactions between the two.
The OCB Research Priorities (updated January 2012) include: ocean acidification; terrestrial/coastal carbon fluxes and exchanges; climate sensitivities of and change in ecosystem structure and associated impacts on biogeochemical cycles; mesopelagic ecological and biogeochemical interactions; benthic-pelagic feedbacks on biogeochemical cycles; ocean carbon uptake and storage; and expanding low-oxygen conditions in the coastal and open oceans.
OCB
largerWorkCitation
program
U.S. Joint Global Ocean Flux Study
http://usjgofs.whoi.edu/
U.S. Joint Global Ocean Flux Study
The United States Joint Global Ocean Flux Study was a national component of international JGOFS and an integral part of global climate change research.
The U.S. launched the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) in the late 1980s to study the ocean carbon cycle. An ambitious goal was set to understand the controls on the concentrations and fluxes of carbon and associated nutrients in the ocean. A new field of ocean biogeochemistry emerged with an emphasis on quality measurements of carbon system parameters and interdisciplinary field studies of the biological, chemical and physical process which control the ocean carbon cycle. As we studied ocean biogeochemistry, we learned that our simple views of carbon uptake and transport were severely limited, and a new "wave" of ocean science was born. U.S. JGOFS has been supported primarily by the U.S. National Science Foundation in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Energy and the Office of Naval Research. U.S. JGOFS, ended in 2005 with the conclusion of the Synthesis and Modeling Project (SMP).
U.S. JGOFS
largerWorkCitation
program
Ocean Time-series Sites
https://osprey.bco-dmo.org/program/562656
Ocean Time-series Sites
Program description text taken from Chapter 1: Introduction from the Global Intercomparability in a Changing Ocean: An International Time-Series Methods Workshop report published following the workshop held November 28-30, 2012 at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences. The full report is available from the workshop Web site hosted by US OCB: http://www.whoi.edu/website/TS-workshop/home
Decades of research have demonstrated that the ocean varies across a range of time scales, with anthropogenic forcing contributing an added layer of complexity. In a growing effort to distinguish between natural and human-induced earth system variability, sustained ocean time-series measurements have taken on a renewed importance. Shipboard biogeochemical time-series represent one of the most valuable tools scientists have to characterize and quantify ocean carbon fluxes and biogeochemical processes and their links to changing climate (Karl, 2010; Chavez et al., 2011; Church et al., 2013). They provide the oceanographic community with the long, temporally resolved datasets needed to characterize ocean climate, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem change.
The temporal scale of shifts in marine ecosystem variations in response to climate change are on the order of several decades. The long-term, consistent and comprehensive monitoring programs conducted by time-series sites are essential to understand large-scale atmosphere-ocean interactions that occur on interannual to decadal time scales. Ocean time-series represent one of the most valuable tools scientists have to characterize and quantify ocean carbon fluxes and biogeochemical processes and their links to changing climate.
Launched in the late 1980s, the US JGOFS (Joint Global Ocean Flux Study; http://usjgofs.whoi.edu) research program initiated two time-series measurement programs at Hawaii and Bermuda (HOT and BATS, respectively) to measure key oceanographic measurements in oligotrophic waters. Begun in 1995 as part of the US JGOFS Synthesis and Modeling Project, the CARIACO Ocean Time-Series (formerly known as the CArbon Retention In A Colored Ocean) Program has studied the relationship between surface primary production, physical forcing variables like the wind, and the settling flux of particulate carbon in the Cariaco Basin.
The objective of these time-series effort is to provide well-sampled seasonal resolution of biogeochemical variability at a limited number of ocean observatories, provide support and background measurements for process-oriented research, as well as test and validate observations for biogeochemical models. Since their creation, the BATS, CARIACO and HOT time-series site data have been available for use by a large community of researchers.
Data from those three US funded, ship-based, time-series sites can be accessed at each site directly or by selecting the site name from the Projects section below.
Ocean Time-series
largerWorkCitation
program
Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study
http://bats.bios.edu
Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study
<p>A full description of the BATS research program (including links to the processed BATS data) is available from the BATS Web site (see above for Project URL/ Project Website links). Any data contributed from selected ancillary projects are listed (linked) in the 'Datasets Collection' section below. </p>
<p><strong>Collaborative Research: The Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study: Sustained Biogeochemical, Ecosystem and Ocean Change Observations and Linkages in the North Atlantic (Years 36-40)</strong><br />
<em><strong>Awards OCE-</strong></em><strong>2241455<em>, OCE-</em>2241456<em> and OCE-</em>2241457<em>)</em></strong><br />
<u>NSF award abstract</u></p>
<p>Long-term observations of ocean physics, biology, and chemistry across decades provide a powerful lens for understanding the response of the oceans to environmental change. This award will continue the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) research program, which began in 1988, for another five years. Observations at the BATS site provide crucial information for understanding the ocean?s role in the global climate system and the response of the ocean carbon system and marine ecosystems to climate perturbations. The research goals of the BATS program continue to be to improve our understanding of the time-varying components of the ocean carbon cycle and related elements of interest (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and silica) and to identify the physical, chemical, and ecosystem properties responsible for this variability. The BATS program has substantial broader impacts, contributing to the field of ocean sciences by providing high-quality ocean observations and a framework in which other researchers can conceive and test hypotheses. In addition, the recent acquisition of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences by the Global Futures Laboratory of Arizona State University provides new avenues for educational opportunities and innovation.</p>
<p>In the subtropical gyre of the North Atlantic Ocean, warming, salinification, deoxygenation, ocean ecosystem changes, and acidification have accelerated their rate of change. Fundamental questions and challenges remain about understanding present and future ocean function, prediction, and modelling. An overarching question for the BATS program is: Will ocean biogeochemistry and ecosystem functioning continue to change in response to the acceleration of ocean warming, salinification, stratification, deoxygenation and acidification? With this question in mind, the sustained goals for the BATS program are: 1. Quantify the role of ocean-atmosphere coupling and climate variability on air-sea exchange of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon export to the ocean interior; 2. Document trends and controls of the following: (a) the interannual to decadal scale variability in carbon and nutrient cycles and their coupling in the surface and deep ocean via the Redfield Ratio paradigm; and, (b) biological community structure in the oligotrophic North Atlantic Ocean in response to low-frequency climate variability; 3. Quantify the response of planktonic and microbial community structure and function and impact on biogeochemical cycles (including new and export productivity) to variability in surface fluxes (e.g., heat, freshwater and momentum) and physical processes (e.g., mesoscale eddies, Rossby Waves, internal waves); 4. Facilitate development, calibration and validation of next-generation oceanographic sensors, tools and technologies; 5. Generate datasets that can be used by empiricists and modelers to test new hypotheses about North Atlantic Ocean biogeochemistry and ecosystem functioning; 6. Use BATS cruise, infrastructure, laboratory and analytical expertise, and data to improve education and training programs for BATS staff, STEM-literate students, and future oceanographers.</p>
<p>This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.</p>
<p>Please see the BATS Web site (<a href="http://bats.bios.edu" target="_blank">http://bats.bios.edu</a>) for additional information.</p>
<p><a href="http://data.bco-dmo.org/BATS/BATS_References.pdf">List of References (PDF)</a></p>
BATS
largerWorkCitation
project
eng; USA
biota
oceans
Sargasso Sea
-66
-63
30
32
1988-12-16
2025-06-02
Northwest Sargasso Sea at 31 deg 40' N, 64 deg 10' W
0
BCO-DMO catalogue of parameters from Determination of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content in sinking particles at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site from December 1988 to June 2025 using a Particle Interceptor Trap System (PITS)
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
pointOfContact
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994117.rdf
Name: Cruise_num
Units: units
Description: <p>BATS Cruise ID; Cruise number where first digit indicates cruise type followed by time series cruise number</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994118.rdf
Name: Cruise_type
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Cruise type (BATS core, BATS Bloom A, or BATS Bloom B)</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994119.rdf
Name: Vessel
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Research vessel used for sampling</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994120.rdf
Name: Date_deployed
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Date of PITS array deployment</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994121.rdf
Name: Latitude_deployed
Units: decimal degrees
Description: <p>Latitude of PITS array deployment</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994122.rdf
Name: Longitude_deployed
Units: decimal degrees
Description: <p>Longitude of PITS array deployment</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994123.rdf
Name: Date_recovered
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Date of PITS array recovery</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994124.rdf
Name: Latitude_recovery
Units: decimal degrees
Description: <p>Latitude of PITS array recovery</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994125.rdf
Name: Longitude_recovery
Units: decimal degrees
Description: <p>Longitude of PITS array recovery</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994126.rdf
Name: Depth
Units: meters (m)
Description: <p>Collection depth</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994127.rdf
Name: M1
Units: milligrams material per square meter per day (mg/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Mass flux #1</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994128.rdf
Name: M2
Units: milligrams material per square meter per day (mg/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Mass flux #2</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994129.rdf
Name: M3
Units: milligrams material per square meter per day (mg/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Mass flux #3</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994130.rdf
Name: M_avg
Units: milligrams material per square meter per day (mg/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Average mass flux</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994131.rdf
Name: C1
Units: milligrams carbon per square meter per day (mgC/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Organic Carbon flux #1</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994132.rdf
Name: C2
Units: milligrams carbon per square meter per day (mgC/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Organic Carbon flux #2</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994133.rdf
Name: C3
Units: milligrams carbon per square meter per day (mgC/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Organic Carbon flux #3</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994134.rdf
Name: C_avg
Units: milligrams carbon per square meter per day (mgC/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Average organic carbon flux</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994135.rdf
Name: N1
Units: milligrams nitrogen per square meter per day (mgN/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Nitrogen flux #1</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994136.rdf
Name: N2
Units: milligrams nitrogen per square meter per day (mgN/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Nitrogen flux #2</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994137.rdf
Name: N3
Units: milligrams nitrogen per square meter per day (mgN/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Nitrogen flux #3</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994138.rdf
Name: N_avg
Units: milligrams nitrogen per square meter per day (mgN/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Average nitrogen flux</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994139.rdf
Name: P1
Units: millimoles phosphorus per square meter per day (mmolP/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Phosphorus flux #1</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994140.rdf
Name: P2
Units: millimoles phosphorus per square meter per day (mmolP/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Phosphorus flux #2</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994141.rdf
Name: P3
Units: millimoles phosphorus per square meter per day (mmolP/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Phosphorus flux #3</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994142.rdf
Name: P_avg
Units: millimoles phosphorus per square meter per day (mmolP/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Average phosphorus flux</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994143.rdf
Name: FBC1
Units: milligrams carbon per square meter per day (mgC/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Field-blank-corrected Organic carbon flux #1</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994144.rdf
Name: FBC2
Units: milligrams carbon per square meter per day (mgC/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Field-blank-corrected Organic carbon flux #2</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994145.rdf
Name: FBC3
Units: milligrams carbon per square meter per day (mgC/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Field-blank-corrected Organic carbon flux #3</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994146.rdf
Name: FBC_avg
Units: milligrams carbon per square meter per day (mgC/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Field-blank-corrected average Organic carbon flux</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994147.rdf
Name: FBN1
Units: milligrams nitrogen per square meter per day (mgN/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Field-blank-corrected Nitrogen flux #1</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994148.rdf
Name: FBN2
Units: milligrams nitrogen per square meter per day (mgN/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Field-blank-corrected Nitrogen flux #2</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994149.rdf
Name: FBN3
Units: milligrams nitrogen per square meter per day (mgN/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Field-blank-corrected Nitrogen flux #3</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/994150.rdf
Name: FBN_avg
Units: milligrams nitrogen per square meter per day (mgN/m^2/day)
Description: <p>Field-blank-corrected average Nitrogen flux</p>
GB/NERC/BODC > British Oceanographic Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, United Kingdom
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
pointOfContact
261950
https://darchive.mblwhoilibrary.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a54ed7ef-11f6-480e-8551-f5e2db721eaf/content
download
258548
https://darchive.mblwhoilibrary.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/2c56e598-6738-408c-b193-41c4736a4158/content
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261962
https://darchive.mblwhoilibrary.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/9954996e-c979-4096-ac42-b374aac0782c/content
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294533
https://darchive.mblwhoilibrary.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/da6fe31c-1131-4bb2-bfc4-3a6bee7ba84d/content
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https://doi.org/10.26008/1912/bco-dmo.894099.1
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onLine
dataset
<p><strong>Background</strong><br />
Particulate Organic Matter (POM) in the ocean consists of a variety of material such as live organisms, zooplankton carcasses, organic debris, zooplankton fecal pellets, transparent exopolymer particles, and minerals of both biogenic and terrestrial origin. The adhesive, coagulative nature of these particles leads to the formation of aggregates that become dense enough to sink towards the sea floor (McDonnell et al., 2011). It is well understood that the flux of marine particulate matter is a key process that links the surface with the deep ocean, and is a controlling factor in the distribution of many elements that form the building blocks of marine biota (Buesseler et al., 2007). These sinking particles are closely linked to the biological carbon pump (Ducklow et al., 2001), represent a key component in the ocean food web and can also act as a sink for inorganic minerals and pollutants that are scavenged by the sinking particles.</p>
<p><strong>Sample collection</strong><br />
The BATS program uses a method developed by Knauer et al. (1979), which was used extensively at the VERTEX time-series site in the northeast Pacific, and is suitable for the assay of all levels of sinking flux found in the ocean. Particle flux is collected within a floating array of polycarbonate tubes (7 cm diameter by 53 cm height) containing a buffered brine solution with polycarbonate filters at the bottom. During monthly cruises to the BATS site, tubes are deployed at three depths (150, 200, and 300 meters) for a target time of 72 hours, depending on weather and conditions. The array is tracked using Argos, Iridium, RDF, and AIS localization units.</p>
<p>Before the array is deployed, tubes are arranged in deployment racks for the different depths and filled with a heavy brine (~85 ppt) and 2% formalin solution.&nbsp; Equipment used and the specific arrangement of the array is represented in Figure 1 (See Supplemental Files section). Four tubes are deployed for carbon and nitrogen determinations, three tubes are deployed for phosphorus counts, and three tubes are prepared (but not deployed) for blank counts.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Upon recovery, the ambient seawater above the interface (at approximately half height of the tubes) is siphoned off and the brine in the lower half of the tube is drained through the filter by means of opening a valve. Tubes are disassembled inside a fume hood and the pre-weighed polycarbonate filters containing the flux sample are transferred to clean petri dishes. Samples are misted with pH buffer solution once in the petri dish to keep them moist. Misting is done during transfer of samples as well as during the time they remain stored at 4ºC until analysis. Care is taken to store samples no longer than 3 to 6 months to prevent any biological processes that could modify organic carbon contents.</p>
<p><strong>Sample analysis</strong><br />
After recovery, filters are examined under a microscope at 12x and 25x magnification to remove swimming zooplankton and other organisms which are not considered sediment flux. Manual removal is needed to prevent overestimation of sinking material that could skew the end results. The remaining flux on each filter is scraped into a bolus, dried and then placed into a silver capsule. For each depth, three samples are acidified to remove inorganic carbon prior to measurement of organic carbon and nitrogen.&nbsp;The non-acidified sample (fourth bolus)&nbsp;is measured for total carbon. Samples are analyzed with a CE440 Elemental Analyzer (Exeter Analytical), which combusts and reduces the sample, converting all C and N present into CO<sub>2</sub> and N<sub>2</sub>. These gas concentrations are measured by thermal conductivity detectors and converted to electrical millivolt signals. Calibration coefficients are then used to convert millivolt outputs to carbon and nitrogen concentrations in micrograms. Acetanilide conditioners and machine blanks are also run to standardize the instrument and monitor performance and accuracy during a run. (See Data Processing Section below for additional information).</p>
<p>The PITS samples that are collected for determination of total particulate phosphorus (PPhos) are analyzed at&nbsp;Bigelow Laboratory of Ocean Sciences following the methods described in Lomas et al. (2010). The PPhos samples have swimmers removed (as detailed above) and are then analyzed using the ash-hydrolysis method of Solarzano and Sharp (1980).&nbsp;This procedure does not separate inorganic from organic phosphorus so these results should be considered as total particulate phosphorus.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Considerations, concerns, and challenges</strong><br />
Sediment traps are the only tools for directly collecting sinking particles in the ocean. They are largely un-calibrated in the field and there are significant unresolved questions on their accuracy and precision. It is assumed that the collection of particles is linearly related to the aperture area of the sediment trap and that this collection is an accurate estimate of the mass of sinking particles at that depth and the particle sinking speeds. But hydrodynamics and other factors influence the collection of material by sediment traps so the interpretation of trap data should be approached with caution (Antia, 2005; Butman et al., 1986; Gardner et al., 1980; Kahler and Bauerfeind, 2001; Lee et al., 1988). The U.S. JGOFS Planning Report #10 provides an overview of these issues (U.S. JGOFS Planning Office, 1989) and there have been significant published papers on trap accuracy since that report.</p>
<ul>
<li>Any investigator using sediment traps should become aware of the facts and challenges in order to make informed decisions about appropriate methods for their investigation.</li>
<li>Any scientist looking to use sediment trap data should be familiar with the factors affecting flux estimates, the methods used for the study, and the assumptions made for the flux calculations</li>
</ul>
Specified by the Principal Investigator(s)
<p>The CE440 elemental analyzer calculates the amount in micrograms (ug) of C and N present in a sample. However, results are reported in milligrams carbon per square meter per day (C mg/m2day). The raw data downloaded from the instrument provides K values, blank values, R and Z values (in milliVolts), and calculated C and N values (ug).&nbsp;</p>
<p>For BATS processing, the mean of all the calculated K values is used for C and N estimations, and therefore a slightly different K is used than that of the CE440 software. The calculations for the K value for BATS are as follows:</p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; R - Z - B<br />
K =&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;------------<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;C (or N)</p>
<p>where:<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;B (mV) = Blank capsule reading in millivolts (i.e the first run with ID ‘blank’)<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;R (mV) = Sample reading in mV from standards (Std1's)<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Z (mV) = Instrument baseline, without capsule<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;C (ug) = mass of carbon. Acetanilide (ug) x 0.7109 from Std1’s<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;N (ug) = mass of nitrogen. Acetanilide (ug) x 0.1036 from Std1’s</p>
<p>Then, to calculate the Carbon or Nitrogen content in the sample, we use an average of the field blanks (FB) rather than the instrument blank measured using the following equation:<br />
<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;R - Z- FB<br />
Carbon content (ug)&nbsp; =&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;--------------&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;K</p>
<p>where&nbsp;FB = Average_R(mV) minus Average_Z(mV)</p>
<p>Since the elemental content measured is a part of the total sample captured (assuming some sample was lost in the scraping and bolus loading process), we adjust the carbon or nitrogen content to represent the entire filter sample:</p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;C_CE440&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
C_adjusted =&nbsp; &nbsp;----------------- * (M_sample*1000)<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; M_bolus</p>
<p>where:<br />
C_adjusted (ug) = Carbon content adjusted to represent the entire filter sample<br />
C_CE440 (ug) = Carbon in subsample calculated by CE440 mV data in MATLAB&nbsp;program.<br />
M_bolus (ug) = subsample weight taken from microbalance when putting bolus in silver capsule<br />
M_sample(ug) = average sample and filter weight minus average filter weight</p>
<p>Finally, the flux is calculated over the trap area, and number of deployment days, in milligrams (mg):</p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;C_adjusted<br />
C_flux =&nbsp; ---------------------- *1000<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;(0.0039m^2 * T)</p>
<p>where:<br />
C_flux = mg/m2/day<br />
0.0039m^2 = is the cross-section area of the trap with a 7cm diameter<br />
T = number of days<br />
*1000 = converts the ug to mg</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
Specified by the Principal Investigator(s)
** Version 7 **
This version adds data from January through June 2025 (new cruises 10423 through 10428) and adds phosphate flux for cruises 10412 through 10415.
- Imported data from source file "bats_flux_v007.txt" into the BCO-DMO data system. Data file imported using missing data identifiers "NA" and -999.
a) combined yyyymmdd and time columns for both deployment and recovery
b) converted datetimes to ISO Date format of yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm
c) converted latitude and longitude to decimal degrees
d) modified parameter names to conform with BCO-DMO naming conventions
e) added columns for Cruise_type and Cruise_num
f) added column for Vessel
- Adjusted column order to match other time series datasets
- Exported final file as “894099_v7_bats_particle_flux.csv”
** Version 6 **
- Imported data from source file "bats_flux_v006.txt" into the BCO-DMO data system. Data file imported using missing data identifiers "NA" and -999.
- Completed steps a) through f) as listed above
- Adjusted column order to match other time series datasets
Specified by BCO-DMO Data Managers
asNeeded
7.x-1.1
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
pointOfContact
Exeter Analytical CE440 Elemental Analyzer
Exeter Analytical CE440 Elemental Analyzer
PI Supplied Instrument Name: Exeter Analytical CE440 Elemental Analyzer PI Supplied Instrument Description:An Exeter Analytical CE440 Elemental Analyzer was use to measured the carbon and nitrogen present in the sediment trap flux samples. For information on operation of this instrument, refer to: http://www.exeteranalytical.co.uk/theory-of-operation/ Instrument Name: Elemental Analyzer Instrument Short Name: Instrument Description: Instruments that quantify carbon, nitrogen and sometimes other elements by combusting the sample at very high temperature and assaying the resulting gaseous oxides. Usually used for samples including organic material. Community Standard Description: http://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/L05/current/LAB01/
microscope
microscope
PI Supplied Instrument Name: microscope PI Supplied Instrument Description:BATS particle flux filter samples are examined under a microscope to remove swimming zooplankton that were caught in the traps. Instrument Name: Microscope - Optical Instrument Short Name: Instrument Description: Instruments that generate enlarged images of samples using the phenomena of reflection and absorption of visible light. Includes conventional and inverted instruments. Also called a "light microscope". Community Standard Description: http://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/L05/current/LAB05/
Particle Interceptor Trap System (PITS)
Particle Interceptor Trap System (PITS)
PI Supplied Instrument Name: Particle Interceptor Trap System (PITS) PI Supplied Instrument Description:To sample oceanic sediment flux, the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) uses a Particle Interceptor Trap System (PITS), which consists of a floating array holding polycarbonate tubes with a filter at the bottom Instrument Name: Sediment Trap - Floating Instrument Short Name:Sed Trap - Float Instrument Description: Floating sediment traps are specially designed sampling devices deployed to float in the water column (as opposed to being secured to a mooring at a fixed depth) for periods of time to collect particles from the water column that are falling toward the sea floor. In general a sediment trap has a container at the bottom to collect the sample and a broad funnel-shaped opening at the top with baffles to keep out very large objects and help prevent the funnel from clogging. The 'Sediment Trap -Floating' designation is used for a floating type of sediment trap about which no other design details are known. Community Standard Description: http://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/L05/current/33/
Particle Interceptor Trap System (PITS)
Particle Interceptor Trap System (PITS)
PI Supplied Instrument Name: Particle Interceptor Trap System (PITS) PI Supplied Instrument Description:To sample oceanic sediment flux, the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) uses a Particle Interceptor Trap System (PITS), which consists of a floating array holding polycarbonate tubes with a filter at the bottom Instrument Name: Sediment Trap - Particle Interceptor Instrument Short Name:Sed Trap - Part Int Instrument Description: A Particle Interceptor Trap is a prototype sediment trap designed in the mid 1990s to segregate 'swimmers' from sinking particulate material sampled from the water column. The prototype trap used 'segregation plates' to deflect and segregate 'swimmers' while a series of funnels collected sinking particles in a chamber (see Dennis A. Hansell and Jan A. Newton. September 1994. Design and Evaluation of a "Swimmer"-Segregating Particle Interceptor Trap, Limnology and Oceanography, Vol. 39, No. 6, pp. 1487-1495). Community Standard Description: http://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/L05/current/33/
Cruise: BATS_cruises
BATS_cruises
Multiple Vessels
vessel
BATS_cruises
Nicholas R. Bates
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
http://bats.bios.edu/bats-data/
Report describing BATS_cruises
Multiple Vessels
vessel