I. Data Set Descriptors A. Title: Daniela Di Iorio. 2017. Daily Summary of Continuous salinity, temperature and depth measurements from moored hydrographic data loggers deployed at GCE6_Hydro (Doboy Sound south of Sapelo Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2016 through 31-Dec-2016. Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER Data Catalog (data set PHY-GCEM-1706d; /data/PHY-GCEM-1706d) B. Accession Number: PHY-GCEM-1706d C. Description 1. Originator(s): Name: Daniela Di Iorio Address: Dept. of Marine Sciences University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602-3636 Country: USA Email: daniela@uga.edu 2. Abstract: Conductivity, temperature and pressure were measured continuously at Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER sampling location GCE6_Hydro (Doboy Sound south of Sapelo Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2016 through 31-Dec-2016. Observations were logged at 30 minute intervals by moored Sea-Bird Electronics MicroCAT 37-SM data loggers and downloaded approximately semi-monthly. Salinity, depth and sigma-t (density anomaly) were calculated from the measured parameters using standard UNESCO algorithms. This data set was collected as part of the GCE-LTER Project continuous salinity, temperature and water level monitoring program. 3. Study Type: Monitoring 4. Study Themes: Physical Oceanography 5. LTER Core Areas: Inorganic Matter 6. Georeferences: geographic coordinates as data columns 7. Submission Date: Jun 22, 2017 D. Keywords: conductivity, daily, density, depth, GCE, GCE6, Georgia, Georgia Coastal Ecosystems, Hydrographic Moorings, hydrography, Inorganic Matter, inorganic nutrients, LTER, monitoring, mooring, pressure, salinity, Sapelo Island, sonde, temperature, USA, water column, water quality II. Research Origin Descriptors A. Overall Project Description 1. Project Title: Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER Project III 2. Principal Investigators: Name: Merryl Alber Address: Dept. of Marine Sciences University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602-3636 Country: USA Email: malber@uga.edu 3. Funding Period: Nov 01, 2012 to Nov 01, 2018 4. Objectives: The research proposed for GCE-III is designed to address how variations in salinity and inundation, driven by climate change and anthropogenic factors, affect biotic and ecosystem responses at different spatial and temporal scales, and to predict the consequences of these changes for habitat provisioning and carbon (C) sequestration across the coastal landscape. 5. Abstract: The Georgia Coastal Ecosystems (GCE) LTER is located along three adjacent sounds on the Atlantic coast and includes both intertidal marshes and estuaries. Long-term drivers of climate change, sea level rise and human alterations of the landscape will cause transitions in dominant habitat types (state changes) within the GCE domain by changing the amounts and patterns of water delivery across the landscape. These changes in water delivery can be conceptualized as presses and pulses in river inflow, local runoff, groundwater input, and tidal inundation, which will in turn manifest themselves as changes in salinity and inundation patterns in the domain. The research proposed for GCE-III is designed to address how variations in salinity and inundation, driven by climate change and anthropogenic factors, affect biotic and ecosystem responses at different spatial and temporal scales, and to predict the consequences of these changes for habitat provisioning and carbon (C) sequestration across the coastal landscape. The goals are to: 1) Track long-term changes in climate and human actions in the watershed and adjacent uplands, and evaluate the effects of these drivers on domain boundary conditions. 2) Describe temporal and spatial variability in physical, chemical, geological and biological, and to evaluate how they are affected by variations in river inflow and other boundary conditions. 3) Characterize the responses of three dominant habitats in the domain to pulses and presses in salinity and inundation. 4) Describe patterns of habitat provisioning and C sequestration and export in the GCE domain, and to evaluate how these might be affected by changes in salinity and inundation. These efforts will be synthesized into a synoptic understanding of both biotic and ecosystem responses to variations in salinity and inundation driven by climate change and human activities, which will be used to assess thresholds between habitats and the potential for state changes in the domain. 6. Funding Source: NSF OCE 1237140 B. Sub-project Description 1. Site Description a. Geographic Location: GCE-DB -- Doboy Sound, Georgia, USA GCE6_Hydro2 -- Doboy Sound hydrographic datalogger deployment south of Sapelo Island (new piling July 2012) Coordinates: GCE-DB -- NW: 081 22 05.66 W, 31 27 20.39 N NE: 081 14 34.64 W, 31 27 20.39 N SE: 081 14 34.64 W, 31 20 27.39 N SW: 081 22 05.66 W, 31 20 27.39 N GCE6_Hydro2 -- 81 18 17.7 W, 31 23 36.5 N b. Physiographic Region: GCE-DB -- Estuary and tidal marsh GCE6_Hydro2 -- Estuary and tidal marsh c. Landform Components: GCE-DB -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks GCE6_Hydro2 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks d. Hydrographic Characteristics: GCE-DB -- Site encompasses Doboy Sound and nearby tidal channels and creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. GCE6_Hydro2 -- Site encompasses Doboy Sound and nearby tidal channels and creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. e. Topographic Attributes: GCE-DB -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide GCE6_Hydro2 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide f. Geology, Lithology and Soils: GCE-DB -- unspecified GCE6_Hydro2 -- unspecified g. Vegetation Communities: GCE-DB -- unspecified GCE6_Hydro2 -- unspecified h. History of Land Use and Disturbance: none recorded i. Climate: Climate summary for Sapelo Island, Georgia, based on NWS data from 1980-2010: Daily-aggregated Values: Mean (sample standard deviation) mean air temperature: 20.09°C (7.28°C) minimum air temperature: 15.02°C (7.96°C) maximum air temperature: 24.82°C (6.98°C) total precipitation: 3.26mm (10.3mm) Yearly-aggregated Daily Values: Mean (sample standard deviation) total precipitation (1980-2010): 1124mm (266mm) 2. Experimental or Sampling Design a. Design Characteristics: Conductivity, temperature and pressure were continuously monitored using an autonomous data-logging sensor package (sonde) that was moored to a piling and submerged 1-1.5m below mean low water. b. Permanent Plots: none c. Data Collection Duration and Frequency: The MicroCAT was programmed to autonomously measure and log conductivity, temperature and pressure at a sampling rate of 30 minutes (based on its internal chronometer). Upon retrieval the data was downloaded from the instrument via RS-232 serial communications and processed using custom Matlab(r) procedures to calculate depth (i.e. from pressure and latitude), salinity and sigma-t (i.e. from conductivity and temperature), and date and time components from sample time stamps. Beginning of Observations: 01-Jan-2016 End of Observations: 31-Dec-2016 3. Research Methods a. Field and Laboratory Methods: Method 1: Deployment -- The MicroCAT was mounted inside a protective PVC pipe enclosure and attached to a wooden piling (~12 inch diameter) that was driven firmly into the substrate. The enclosure was constructed from a 10-foot length of 6-inch (internal diameter) PVC pipe that was perforated all over by drilling 1.5-inch holes (at approximately 4-inch spacing); this permits proper water circulation within the enclosure. The bottom of the PVC pipe was submerged about 5 feet below the water surface at low tide and bolted (vertically) to the piling. The MicroCAT was deployed by lowering it into the enclosure on a 0.375-inch stainless steel cable, and bolting the cable to the piling, so that the bottom of the data logger was ~3 inches above the bottom of the PVC pipe. A weighted surveyor's tape was then used to measure the distance from the substrate to the pressure sensor on the MicroCAT for calculation of total water column depth from pressure readings. The mooring was inspected every 1-3 weeks, and any visible fouling of the enclosure or MicroCAT was removed with a brush or scaper. Method 2: Retrieval and Calibration -- At the end of each measurement period (approximately 2 months), the MicroCAT was unshackled from the cable and returned to the laboratory. The stored data was uploaded to a computer using a RS-232 serial cable and Sea-Bird Electronics SEATERM software. The MicroCAT was then cleaned to remove encrusting material and calibrated with a reference instrument at 4 to 5 salinity levels, generally ranging from 30 to 5 PSU. Method 3: Data Processing -- Data were processed after each retrieval using custom programs in the GCE Data Toolbox for MATLAB (parse_37sm and imp_gcesonde). Depth was calculated from recorded pressure and latitude values, and salinity and sigma-t were calculated from recorded conductivity and temperature values using standard UNESCO algorithms (reference: Unesco. 1983. Algorithms for computation of fundamental properties of seawater, 1983. Unesco Technical Papers in Marine Science No. 44, 53 pp.). Data were then plotted and visually inspected for evidence of biofouling of the conductivity sensor (i.e. prolonged periods of damped tidal oscillation in conductivity signal with no corresponding changes in temperature signal and no wind or rainfall events recorded at nearby monitoring stations, or periods of damped oscillation immediately followed by normal oscillation after instrument maintenance or replacement). Conductivity values recorded during periods of suspected biofouling were flagged as I (invalid) if visible fouling was noted in maintenance logs, and Q (questionable) if no visible fouling was noted. Method 4: Daily Aggregation -- The finalized 30-minute resolution data set was filtered to remove any remaining invalid values (i.e. assigned qualifier flags of 'I' = invalid value or 'X' = excise row), then padded with empty rows to produce a monotonic time series data set with even time steps. The data records were then aggregated (grouped) by Year, Month, Day, Site, Longitude and Latitude, and relevant summary statistics were calculated for each measured variable in each group and added as data columns. Quality control rules were defined for each calculated column to flag statistics based on days with more than 35% missing values as invalid, and more than 10% missing values or 35% flagged values as questionable. Columns listing the number and percentage of missing and flagged values in the original data set for each day were also added as data columns for reference by quality control rules. Following aggregation, summary statistics flagged as invalid were removed from the daily-aggregated data set and converted to missing (NaN). b. Protocols: Method 1: none Method 2: none Method 3: none Method 4: none c. Instrumentation: Method 1: SBE MicroCAT 37-SM (S/N 2539, with pump) Manufacturer: Sea-Bird Electronics (Model: 37-SM MicroCAT) Last Calibration: Apr 19, 2011 Parameter: Conductivity (Accuracy: 0.0003 S/m, Readability: 0.00001 S/m, Range: 0 to 7 S/m) Protocol: Prior to each timed measurement the conductivity cell is opened and water is pumped for 0.5 sec, then conductivity is measured using an ultra-precision Wien-Bridge oscillator with frequency counted by a high-stability reference crystal (<2 ppm/year drift rate). The cell is closed between measurements and tributyl tin antifoulant is released into the tubing. Parameter: Pressure (water) (Accuracy: 0.2m, Readability: 0.0004m, Range: 0 to 20m) Protocol: Pressure is measured using a micro-machined silicon diaphragm with embedded strain elements, and temperature compensation is performed by the SBE MicroCAT onboard cpu. Parameter: Temperature (water) (Accuracy: 0.002°C, Readability: 0.0001°C, Range: -5 to 35°C) Protocol: Temperature is measured by applying an AC excitation to a hermetically-sealed VISHAY reference resistor and an ultra-stable aged thermistor (drift rate typically less than 0.002°C/year). SBE MicroCAT 37-SM (S/N 1794) Manufacturer: Sea-Bird Electronics (Model: 37-SM MicroCAT) Last Calibration: Mar 28, 2012 Parameter: Conductivity (Accuracy: 0.0003 S/m, Readability: 0.00001 S/m, Range: 0 to 7 S/m) Protocol: Water passively circulates through an open internal-field conductivity cell equipped with an external tributyl tin antifoulant dispenser, and conductivity is measured using an ultra-precision Wien-Bridge oscillator with frequency counted by a high-stability reference crystal (<2 ppm/year drift rate). Parameter: Pressure (water) (Accuracy: 0.2m, Readability: 0.0004m, Range: 0 to 20m) Protocol: Pressure is measured using a micro-machined silicon diaphragm with embedded strain elements, and temperature compensation is performed by the SBE MicroCAT onboard cpu. Parameter: Temperature (water) (Accuracy: 0.002°C, Readability: 0.0001°C, Range: -5 to 35°C) Protocol: Temperature is measured by applying an AC excitation to a hermetically-sealed VISHAY reference resistor and an ultra-stable aged thermistor (drift rate typically less than 0.002°C/year). SBE MicroCAT 37-SM (S/N 3746) Manufacturer: Sea-Bird Electronics (Model: 37-SM MicroCAT) Last Calibration: Nov 29, 2012 Parameter: Conductivity (Accuracy: 0.0003 S/m, Readability: 0.00001 S/m, Range: 0 to 7 S/m) Protocol: Prior to each timed measurement the conductivity cell is opened and water is pumped for 0.5 sec, then conductivity is measured using an ultra-precision Wien-Bridge oscillator with frequency counted by a high-stability reference crystal (<2 ppm/year drift rate). The cell is closed between measurements and tributyl tin antifoulant is released into the tubing. Parameter: Pressure (water) (Accuracy: 0.2m, Readability: 0.0004m, Range: 0 to 20m) Protocol: Pressure is measured using a micro-machined silicon diaphragm with embedded strain elements, and temperature compensation is performed by the SBE MicroCAT onboard cpu. Parameter: Temperature (water) (Accuracy: 0.002°C, Readability: 0.0001°C, Range: -5 to 35°C) Protocol: Temperature is measured by applying an AC excitation to a hermetically-sealed VISHAY reference resistor and an ultra-stable aged thermistor (drift rate typically less than 0.002°C/year). SBE MicroCAT 37-SM (S/N 9960) Manufacturer: Sea-Bird Electronics (Model: 37-SM MicroCAT) Last Calibration: Aug 13, 2012 Parameter: Conductivity (Accuracy: 0.0003 S/m, Readability: 0.00001 S/m, Range: 0 to 7 S/m) Protocol: Water passively circulates through an open internal-field conductivity cell equipped with an external tributyl tin antifoulant dispenser, and conductivity is measured using an ultra-precision Wien-Bridge oscillator with frequency counted by a high-stability reference crystal (<2 ppm/year drift rate). Parameter: Pressure (water) (Accuracy: 0.2m, Readability: 0.0004m, Range: 0 to 20m) Protocol: Pressure is measured using a micro-machined silicon diaphragm with embedded strain elements, and temperature compensation is performed by the SBE MicroCAT onboard cpu. Parameter: Temperature (water) (Accuracy: 0.002°C, Readability: 0.0001°C, Range: -5 to 35°C) Protocol: Temperature is measured by applying an AC excitation to a hermetically-sealed VISHAY reference resistor and an ultra-stable aged thermistor (drift rate typically less than 0.002°C/year). Method 2: none Method 3: none Method 4: none d. Taxonomy and Systematics: Method 1: not applicable Method 2: Method 3: Method 4: e. Speclies List: f. Permit History: Method 1: none Method 2: none Method 3: none Method 4: none 4. Project Personnel a. Personnel: 1: Daniela Di Iorio 2: Jacob Shalack 3: Wade M. Sheldon, Jr. 4: Adam Sapp 5: Caroline M. Reddy 6: Timothy G. Montgomery b. Affiliations: 1: University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 2: University of Georgia Marine Institute, Sapelo Island, Georgia 3: University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 4: University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 5: University of Georgia, Sapelo Island, Georgia 6: University of Georgia, Sapelo Island, Georgia III. Data Set Status and Accessibility A. Status 1. Latest Update: 30-Sep-2026 2. Latest Archive Date: 28-Feb-2018 3. Latest Metadata Update: 30-Sep-2026 4. Data Verification Status: New submission B. Accessibility 1. Storage Location and Medium: Stored at GCE-LTER Data Management Office Dept. of Marine Sciences Univ. of Georgia Athens, GA 30602-3636 USA on media: electronic data download (WWW) or compact disk 2. Contact Person: Name: Wade M. Sheldon, Jr. Address: Dept. of Marine Sciences University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602-3636 Country: USA Email: sheldon@uga.edu 3. Copyright Restrictions: not copyrighted 4. Restrictions: This information is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (see: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The consumer of these data ("Data User" herein) has an ethical obligation to cite it appropriately in any publication that results from its use. The Data User should realize that these data may be actively used by others for ongoing research and that coordination may be necessary to prevent duplicate publication. The Data User is urged to contact the authors of these data if any questions about methodology or results occur. Where appropriate, the Data User is encouraged to consider collaboration or co-authorship with the authors. The Data User should realize that misinterpretation of data may occur if used out of context of the original study. While substantial efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of data and associated documentation, complete accuracy of data sets cannot be guaranteed. All data are made available "as is." The Data User should be aware, however, that data are updated periodically and it is the responsibility of the Data User to check for new versions of the data. The data authors and the repository where these data were obtained shall not be liable for damages resulting from any use or misinterpretation of the data. a. Release Date: Affiliates: Jun 22, 2017, Public: Dec 31, 2017 b. Citation: Data provided by the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research Project, supported by funds from NSF OCE 1237140 (data set PHY-GCEM-1706d) c. Disclaimer: The user assumes all responsibility for errors in judgement based on interpretation of data and analyses presented in this data set. 5. Costs: free electronic data download via WWW, distribution on CD may be subject to nominal processing and handling fee IV. Data Structural Descriptors A. Data Set File 1. File Name: PHY-GCEM-1706d_Daily_2_0.CSV 2. Size: 366 records 3. File Format: ASCII text (comma-separated value format) 3a. Delimiters: single comma 4. Header Information: 5 lines of ASCII text 5. Alphanumeric Attributes: none 6. Quality Control Flag Codes: Q = questionable value, I = invalid value (out of range), S = spike/noise, X = excise row flag, E = data value estimated by interpolation 7. Authentication Procedures: not specified 8. Calculations: Depth(m) = sw_dpth(Pressure(dbar),Latitude(deg)) -- sw_dpth (salt water depth from pressure) Matlab function, Revision: 1.3, Date: 10-Oct-1994 (C)1992 CSIRO, Phil Morgan (morgan@ml.csiro.au) [Salinity(psu),Sigma_t] = salsig2(Depth(m),Temperature(C),Conductivity(mmho/cm)) -- salsig2 (salinity and sigma-t from conductivity, temperature and depth) Matlab function Revision 06-May-1992 by V. Holliday, as modified by Tom Gross and Julie Amft (julie@skio.peachnet.edu) 9. Processing History: Software version: GCE Data Toolbox Version 3.9.10 (23-May-2022) Data structure version: GCE Data Structure 1.1 (29-Mar-2001) Original data files processed: 06161394.asc (5080 records) 06160860.cnv (7622 records) 06161246.asc (5998 records) 06170339.cnv (3788 records) 06161394.asc (5080 records) 06160860.cnv (7622 records) 06161246.asc (5998 records) 06170339.cnv (3788 records) 06160842_revised.asc (7620 records) Data processing history: 24-Mar-2016: data uploaded from SBE 37-SM MicroCAT using SEATERM software version 1.59 26-Jul-2016: new GCE Data Structure 1.1 created ('newstruct') 26-Jul-2016: data imported from processed SBE SM-37 sonde data file '06161394.asc' (5080 records) ('imp_gcesonde') 26-Jul-2016: deleted column Second from the structure ('deletecols') 26-Jul-2016: calculated calendar date in MATLAB serial day (base 1/1/0000) format from individual date component columns Year, Month, Day, Hour and Minute, added 'Date' column at position 1 ('add_datecol') 26-Jul-2016: added column 'Instrument' at position 1 ('addcol') 26-Jul-2016: added column 'Pump' at position 2 ('addcol') 26-Jul-2016: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Pump, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 26-Jul-2016: added column 'Latitude' at position 1 ('addcol') 26-Jul-2016: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Latitude, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 26-Jul-2016: added column 'Longitude' at position 1 ('addcol') 26-Jul-2016: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Longitude, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 26-Jul-2016: added column 'Site' at position 1 ('addcol') 26-Jul-2016: matched 5080 out of 5080 geographic coordinates in columns Latitude and Longitude to coordinates for registered locations in the file 'geo_locations.mat' within a distance tolerance of 0.5km (add_locations) 26-Jul-2016: added column 'Station' at position 2 ('addcol') 26-Jul-2016: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Station, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 26-Jul-2016: added geographic metadata based on matching values in column Station to location and station names registered in 'geo_locations.mat' ('add_sitemetadata') 26-Jul-2016: updated 8 metadata fields in the Site sections ('addmeta') 26-Jul-2016: added column 'Calibration' at position 19 ('addcol') 26-Jul-2016: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Calibration, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 26-Jul-2016: updated 13 metadata fields in the Data, Dataset, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('addmeta') 26-Jul-2016: Q/C flagging criteria applied, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 26-Jul-2016: QA/QC flags assigned by visual inspection (ui_visualqc); flags set on Depth record(s): 1, 5044, 5045, 5046, 5047, 5048, 5049, 5050, 5051, 5052, 5053, 5054, 5055, 5056, 5057, 5058, 5059, 5060, 5061, 5062, 5063, 5064, 5065, 5066, 5067, 5068, 5069, 5070, 5071, 5072, 5073, 5074, 5075, 5076, 5077, 5078, 5079 and 5080 26-Jul-2016: deleted the following rows with values in column(s) Depth assigned QA/QC flag(s) X (excise row flag): 1, 5044, 5045, 5046, 5047, 5048, 5049, 5050, 5051, 5052, 5053, 5054, 5055, 5056, 5057, 5058, 5059, 5060, 5061, 5062, 5063, 5064, 5065, 5066, 5067, 5068, 5069, 5070, 5071, 5072, 5073, 5074, 5075, 5076, 5077, 5078, 5079 and 5080. ('cullflags') 27-Jan-2018: 7146 rows added at the bottom of the data set ('datamerge') 27-Jan-2018: updated 13 metadata fields in the Data, Dataset, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('addmeta') 27-Jan-2018: Q/C flagging criteria applied, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 27-Jan-2018: automatically assigned study date metadata descriptors based on the range of date values in date/time columns (add_studydates) 27-Jan-2018: 5995 rows added at the bottom of the data set ('datamerge') 27-Jan-2018: updated 13 metadata fields in the Data, Dataset, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('addmeta') 27-Jan-2018: Q/C flagging criteria applied, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 27-Jan-2018: query 'Year==2016' run, returned 17120 of 18183 data rows ('querydata') 27-Jan-2018: automatically assigned study date metadata descriptors based on the range of date values in date/time columns (add_studydates) 27-Jan-2018: manually edited data set metadata ('ui_editmetadata') 27-Jan-2018: edited data set title in structure and metadata ('ui_editor') 27-Jan-2018: 3744 rows added at the bottom of the data set ('datamerge') 27-Jan-2018: updated 13 metadata fields in the Data, Dataset, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('addmeta') 27-Jan-2018: Q/C flagging criteria applied, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 27-Jan-2018: query 'Year==2016' run, returned 17568 of 20864 data rows ('querydata') 27-Jan-2018: automatically assigned study date metadata descriptors based on the range of date values in date/time columns (add_studydates) 27-Jan-2018: manually edited data set metadata ('ui_editmetadata') 27-Jan-2018: edited data set title in structure and metadata ('ui_editor') 27-Jan-2018: performed daily statistical aggregation on data columns Temperature, Conductivity, Pressure, Depth, Salinity and Sigma_t by grouping on columns Site, Station, Longitude, Latitude, Year, Month and Day (aggr_datetime) 27-Jan-2018: updated title ('newtitle') 27-Jan-2018: updated 1 metadata fields in the Dataset sections ('addmeta') 27-Jan-2018: calculated calendar date in MATLAB serial day (base 1/1/0000) format from individual date component columns Year, Month and Day, added 'Date' column at position 5 ('add_datecol') 28-Feb-2018: updated 1 metadata fields in the Dataset sections ('addmeta') 28-Feb-2018: imported Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 28-Feb-2018: updated 57 metadata fields in the Dataset, Project, Site, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('addmeta') 28-Feb-2018: manually edited data set metadata ('ui_editmetadata') 28-Feb-2018: edited data set title in structure and metadata ('ui_editor') 30-Sep-2026: query 'Date==736330.000000' run, returned 1 of 366 data rows ('querydata') 30-Sep-2026: automatically assigned study date metadata descriptors based on the range of date values in date/time columns (add_studydates) 30-Sep-2026: 366 rows added at the bottom of the data set from 'Daily Summary of Data from Sea-Bird Electronics 37-SM MicroCAT sonde S/N 1794 deployed at GCE6_Hydro2 (Doboy Sound hydrographic datalogger deployment south of Sapelo Island (new piling July 2012)) from 01-Jan-2016 to 31-Dec-2016' ('datamerge') 30-Sep-2026: Q/C flagging criteria applied, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 30-Sep-2026: automatically assigned study date metadata descriptors based on the range of date values in date/time columns (add_studydates) 30-Sep-2026: sorted by column Date(ascending) ('sortdata') 30-Sep-2026: sorted by columns Date(ascending), Year(ascending), Month(ascending), Day(ascending) ('sortdata') 30-Sep-2026: removed 1 row(s) with duplicate values in the column(s) Date, Year, Month and Day ('cleardupes') 30-Sep-2026: converted dates in column(s) Date to format yyyy-mm-dd HH:MM:SS 30-Sep-2026: updated 6 metadata fields in the Data section(s) ('addmeta') 30-Sep-2026: updated 15 metadata fields in the Status, Data sections to reflect attribute metadata ('updatecols') 30-Sep-2026: parsed and formatted metadata ('listmeta') B. Variable Information 1. Variable Name: column 1. Site column 2. Station column 3. Longitude column 4. Latitude column 5. Date column 6. Year column 7. Month column 8. Day column 9. Missing_Temperature column 10. Percent_Missing_Temperature column 11. Flagged_Temperature column 12. Percent_Flagged_Temperature column 13. Daily_Num_Temperature column 14. Daily_Min_Temperature column 15. Daily_Max_Temperature column 16. Daily_Mean_Temperature column 17. Daily_StdDev_Temperature column 18. Daily_SE_Temperature column 19. Missing_Conductivity column 20. Percent_Missing_Conductivity column 21. Flagged_Conductivity column 22. Percent_Flagged_Conductivity column 23. Daily_Num_Conductivity column 24. Daily_Min_Conductivity column 25. Daily_Max_Conductivity column 26. Daily_Mean_Conductivity column 27. Daily_StdDev_Conductivity column 28. Daily_SE_Conductivity column 29. Missing_Pressure column 30. Percent_Missing_Pressure column 31. Flagged_Pressure column 32. Percent_Flagged_Pressure column 33. Daily_Num_Pressure column 34. Daily_Min_Pressure column 35. Daily_Max_Pressure column 36. Daily_Mean_Pressure column 37. Daily_StdDev_Pressure column 38. Daily_SE_Pressure column 39. Missing_Depth column 40. Percent_Missing_Depth column 41. Flagged_Depth column 42. Percent_Flagged_Depth column 43. Daily_Num_Depth column 44. Daily_Min_Depth column 45. Daily_Max_Depth column 46. Daily_Mean_Depth column 47. Daily_StdDev_Depth column 48. Daily_SE_Depth column 49. Missing_Salinity column 50. Percent_Missing_Salinity column 51. Flagged_Salinity column 52. Percent_Flagged_Salinity column 53. Daily_Num_Salinity column 54. Daily_Min_Salinity column 55. Daily_Max_Salinity column 56. Daily_Mean_Salinity column 57. Daily_StdDev_Salinity column 58. Daily_SE_Salinity column 59. Missing_Sigma_t column 60. Percent_Missing_Sigma_t column 61. Flagged_Sigma_t column 62. Percent_Flagged_Sigma_t column 63. Daily_Num_Sigma_t column 64. Daily_Min_Sigma_t column 65. Daily_Max_Sigma_t column 66. Daily_Mean_Sigma_t column 67. Daily_StdDev_Sigma_t column 68. Daily_SE_Sigma_t 2. Variable Definition: column 1. Nearest nominal GCE-LTER sampling site column 2. Station determined by geographic database lookup of coordinates in columns Latitude and Longitude using a distance tolerance of 0.5km from registered station location column 3. Geographic longitude in decimal degrees column 4. Geographic latitude in decimal degrees column 5. Calendar date and time of observation column 6. Calendar year column 7. Calendar month column 8. Calendar day column 9. Number of missing observations of Water temperature column 10. Percent missing observations of Water temperature column 11. Number of QC/QA-flagged observations of Water temperature column 12. Percent QC/QA-flagged observations of Water temperature column 13. Daily Observations of Water temperature column 14. Daily Minimum Water temperature column 15. Daily Maximum Water temperature column 16. Daily Mean Water temperature column 17. Daily Sample Standard Deviation of Water temperature column 18. Daily Standard Error of Water temperature column 19. Number of missing observations of Conductivity column 20. Percent missing observations of Conductivity column 21. Number of QC/QA-flagged observations of Conductivity column 22. Percent QC/QA-flagged observations of Conductivity column 23. Daily Observations of Conductivity column 24. Daily Minimum Conductivity column 25. Daily Maximum Conductivity column 26. Daily Mean Conductivity column 27. Daily Sample Standard Deviation of Conductivity column 28. Daily Standard Error of Conductivity column 29. Number of missing observations of Water pressure at sensor (approximately equivalent to water depth within 3% error) column 30. Percent missing observations of Water pressure at sensor (approximately equivalent to water depth within 3% error) column 31. Number of QC/QA-flagged observations of Water pressure at sensor (approximately equivalent to water depth within 3% error) column 32. Percent QC/QA-flagged observations of Water pressure at sensor (approximately equivalent to water depth within 3% error) column 33. Daily Observations of Water pressure at sensor (approximately equivalent to water depth within 3% error) column 34. Daily Minimum Water pressure at sensor (approximately equivalent to water depth within 3% error) column 35. Daily Maximum Water pressure at sensor (approximately equivalent to water depth within 3% error) column 36. Daily Mean Water pressure at sensor (approximately equivalent to water depth within 3% error) column 37. Daily Sample Standard Deviation of Water pressure at sensor (approximately equivalent to water depth within 3% error) column 38. Daily Standard Error of Water pressure at sensor (approximately equivalent to water depth within 3% error) column 39. Number of missing observations of Water depth to the pressure sensor of the moored sonde column 40. Percent missing observations of Water depth to the pressure sensor of the moored sonde column 41. Number of QC/QA-flagged observations of Water depth to the pressure sensor of the moored sonde column 42. Percent QC/QA-flagged observations of Water depth to the pressure sensor of the moored sonde column 43. Daily Observations of Water depth to the pressure sensor of the moored sonde column 44. Daily Minimum Water depth to the pressure sensor of the moored sonde column 45. Daily Maximum Water depth to the pressure sensor of the moored sonde column 46. Daily Mean Water depth to the pressure sensor of the moored sonde column 47. Daily Sample Standard Deviation of Water depth to the pressure sensor of the moored sonde column 48. Daily Standard Error of Water depth to the pressure sensor of the moored sonde column 49. Number of missing observations of Salinity column 50. Percent missing observations of Salinity column 51. Number of QC/QA-flagged observations of Salinity column 52. Percent QC/QA-flagged observations of Salinity column 53. Daily Observations of Salinity column 54. Daily Minimum Salinity column 55. Daily Maximum Salinity column 56. Daily Mean Salinity column 57. Daily Sample Standard Deviation of Salinity column 58. Daily Standard Error of Salinity column 59. Number of missing observations of Sigma-t (i.e. Density-1) column 60. Percent missing observations of Sigma-t (i.e. Density-1) column 61. Number of QC/QA-flagged observations of Sigma-t (i.e. Density-1) column 62. Percent QC/QA-flagged observations of Sigma-t (i.e. Density-1) column 63. Daily Observations of Sigma-t (i.e. Density-1) column 64. Daily Minimum Sigma-t (i.e. Density-1) column 65. Daily Maximum Sigma-t (i.e. Density-1) column 66. Daily Mean Sigma-t (i.e. Density-1) column 67. Daily Sample Standard Deviation of Sigma-t (i.e. Density-1) column 68. Daily Standard Error of Sigma-t (i.e. Density-1) 3. Units of Measurement: column 1. none column 2. none column 3. degrees column 4. degrees column 5. yyyy-mm-dd HH:MM:SS column 6. YYYY column 7. MM column 8. DD column 9. count column 10. % column 11. count column 12. % column 13. count column 14. °C column 15. °C column 16. °C column 17. °C column 18. °C column 19. count column 20. % column 21. count column 22. % column 23. count column 24. S/m column 25. S/m column 26. S/m column 27. S/m column 28. S/m column 29. count column 30. % column 31. count column 32. % column 33. count column 34. dbar column 35. dbar column 36. dbar column 37. dbar column 38. dbar column 39. count column 40. % column 41. count column 42. % column 43. count column 44. m column 45. m column 46. m column 47. m column 48. m column 49. count column 50. % column 51. count column 52. % column 53. count column 54. PSU column 55. PSU column 56. PSU column 57. PSU column 58. PSU column 59. count column 60. % column 61. count column 62. % column 63. count column 64. kg/m^3 column 65. kg/m^3 column 66. kg/m^3 column 67. kg/m^3 column 68. kg/m^3 4. Data Type a. Storage Type: column 1. integer column 2. string column 3. floating-point column 4. floating-point column 5. string column 6. integer column 7. integer column 8. integer column 9. integer column 10. floating-point column 11. integer column 12. floating-point column 13. integer column 14. floating-point column 15. floating-point column 16. floating-point column 17. floating-point column 18. floating-point column 19. integer column 20. floating-point column 21. integer column 22. floating-point column 23. integer column 24. floating-point column 25. floating-point column 26. floating-point column 27. floating-point column 28. floating-point column 29. integer column 30. floating-point column 31. integer column 32. floating-point column 33. integer column 34. floating-point column 35. floating-point column 36. floating-point column 37. floating-point column 38. floating-point column 39. integer column 40. floating-point column 41. integer column 42. floating-point column 43. integer column 44. floating-point column 45. floating-point column 46. floating-point column 47. floating-point column 48. floating-point column 49. integer column 50. floating-point column 51. integer column 52. floating-point column 53. integer column 54. floating-point column 55. floating-point column 56. floating-point column 57. floating-point column 58. floating-point column 59. integer column 60. floating-point column 61. integer column 62. floating-point column 63. integer column 64. floating-point column 65. floating-point column 66. floating-point column 67. floating-point column 68. floating-point b. Variable Codes: c. Numeric Range: column 1. 6 to 6 column 2. (none) column 3. -81.3049 to -81.3049 column 4. 31.3935 to 31.3935 column 5. (none) column 6. 2016 to 2016 column 7. 1 to 12 column 8. 1 to 31 column 9. 0 to 0 column 10. 0 to 0 column 11. 0 to 7 column 12. 0 to 12.7273 column 13. 48 to 48 column 14. 9.2028 to 30.9072 column 15. 10.611 to 32.1686 column 16. 10.0527 to 31.3377 column 17. 0.069931 to 1.0594 column 18. 0.010094 to 0.15291 column 19. 0 to 0 column 20. 0 to 0 column 21. 0 to 8 column 22. 0 to 14.2857 column 23. 48 to 48 column 24. 0.52919 to 5.6052 column 25. 2.6904 to 5.9471 column 26. 1.5841 to 5.7564 column 27. 0.033771 to 0.78227 column 28. 0.0048745 to 0.11291 column 29. 0 to 0 column 30. 0 to 0 column 31. 0 to 7 column 32. 0 to 12.7273 column 33. 48 to 48 column 34. 0.247 to 2.194 column 35. 2.562 to 4.123 column 36. 1.4998 to 3.0943 column 37. 0.47997 to 1.0828 column 38. 0.069278 to 0.1563 column 39. 0 to 0 column 40. 0 to 0 column 41. 0 to 7 column 42. 0 to 12.7273 column 43. 48 to 48 column 44. 0.24529 to 2.1788 column 45. 2.5443 to 4.0944 column 46. 1.4894 to 3.0729 column 47. 0.47664 to 1.0753 column 48. 0.068798 to 0.15521 column 49. 0 to 0 column 50. 0 to 0 column 51. 0 to 8 column 52. 0 to 14.2857 column 53. 48 to 48 column 54. 3.9212 to 33.3245 column 55. 22.6624 to 34.999 column 56. 12.3051 to 34.1355 column 57. 0.10713 to 6.5976 column 58. 0.015463 to 0.95228 column 59. 0 to 0 column 60. 0 to 0 column 61. 0 to 8 column 62. 0 to 14.2857 column 63. 48 to 48 column 64. 2.5879 to 20.7203 column 65. 14.2718 to 23.5409 column 66. 8.8502 to 21.8032 column 67. 0.12239 to 5.0504 column 68. 0.017665 to 0.72896 d. Missing Value Code: 5. Data Format a. Column Type: column 1. numerical column 2. text column 3. numerical column 4. numerical column 5. text column 6. numerical column 7. numerical column 8. numerical column 9. numerical column 10. numerical column 11. numerical column 12. numerical column 13. numerical column 14. numerical column 15. numerical column 16. numerical column 17. numerical column 18. numerical column 19. numerical column 20. numerical column 21. numerical column 22. numerical column 23. numerical column 24. numerical column 25. numerical column 26. numerical column 27. numerical column 28. numerical column 29. numerical column 30. numerical column 31. numerical column 32. numerical column 33. numerical column 34. numerical column 35. numerical column 36. numerical column 37. numerical column 38. numerical column 39. numerical column 40. numerical column 41. numerical column 42. numerical column 43. numerical column 44. numerical column 45. numerical column 46. numerical column 47. numerical column 48. numerical column 49. numerical column 50. numerical column 51. numerical column 52. numerical column 53. numerical column 54. numerical column 55. numerical column 56. numerical column 57. numerical column 58. numerical column 59. numerical column 60. numerical column 61. numerical column 62. numerical column 63. numerical column 64. numerical column 65. numerical column 66. numerical column 67. numerical column 68. numerical b. Number of Columns: 68 c. Decimal Places: column 1. 0 column 2. 0 column 3. 6 column 4. 6 column 5. 0 column 6. 0 column 7. 0 column 8. 0 column 9. 0 column 10. 2 column 11. 0 column 12. 2 column 13. 0 column 14. 3 column 15. 3 column 16. 4 column 17. 4 column 18. 5 column 19. 0 column 20. 2 column 21. 0 column 22. 2 column 23. 0 column 24. 3 column 25. 3 column 26. 4 column 27. 4 column 28. 5 column 29. 0 column 30. 2 column 31. 0 column 32. 2 column 33. 0 column 34. 3 column 35. 3 column 36. 4 column 37. 4 column 38. 5 column 39. 0 column 40. 2 column 41. 0 column 42. 2 column 43. 0 column 44. 3 column 45. 3 column 46. 4 column 47. 4 column 48. 5 column 49. 0 column 50. 2 column 51. 0 column 52. 2 column 53. 0 column 54. 3 column 55. 3 column 56. 4 column 57. 4 column 58. 5 column 59. 0 column 60. 2 column 61. 0 column 62. 2 column 63. 0 column 64. 3 column 65. 3 column 66. 4 column 67. 4 column 68. 5 6. Logical Variable Type: column 1. nominal (discrete) column 2. nominal (none) column 3. geographic coordinate (continuous) column 4. geographic coordinate (continuous) column 5. datetime (none) column 6. datetime (discrete) column 7. datetime (discrete) column 8. datetime (discrete) column 9. calculation (discrete) column 10. calculation (continuous) column 11. calculation (discrete) column 12. calculation (continuous) column 13. calculation (discrete) column 14. calculation (continuous) column 15. calculation (continuous) column 16. calculation (continuous) column 17. calculation (continuous) column 18. calculation (continuous) column 19. calculation (discrete) column 20. calculation (continuous) column 21. calculation (discrete) column 22. calculation (continuous) column 23. calculation (discrete) column 24. calculation (continuous) column 25. calculation (continuous) column 26. calculation (continuous) column 27. calculation (continuous) column 28. calculation (continuous) column 29. calculation (discrete) column 30. calculation (continuous) column 31. calculation (discrete) column 32. calculation (continuous) column 33. calculation (discrete) column 34. calculation (continuous) column 35. calculation (continuous) column 36. calculation (continuous) column 37. calculation (continuous) column 38. calculation (continuous) column 39. calculation (discrete) column 40. calculation (continuous) column 41. calculation (discrete) column 42. calculation (continuous) column 43. calculation (discrete) column 44. calculation (continuous) column 45. calculation (continuous) column 46. calculation (continuous) column 47. calculation (continuous) column 48. calculation (continuous) column 49. calculation (discrete) column 50. calculation (continuous) column 51. calculation (discrete) column 52. calculation (continuous) column 53. calculation (discrete) column 54. calculation (continuous) column 55. calculation (continuous) column 56. calculation (continuous) column 57. calculation (continuous) column 58. calculation (continuous) column 59. calculation (discrete) column 60. calculation (continuous) column 61. calculation (discrete) column 62. calculation (continuous) column 63. calculation (discrete) column 64. calculation (continuous) column 65. calculation (continuous) column 66. calculation (continuous) column 67. calculation (continuous) column 68. calculation (continuous) 7. Flagging Criteria: column 1. none column 2. none column 3. none column 4. none column 5. none column 6. none column 7. none column 8. none column 9. none column 10. none column 11. none column 12. none column 13. none column 14. col_Percent_Missing_Temperature>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Temperature>10="Q";col_Percen t_Flagged_Temperature>30="Q" column 15. col_Percent_Missing_Temperature>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Temperature>10="Q";col_Percen t_Flagged_Temperature>30="Q" column 16. col_Percent_Missing_Temperature>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Temperature>10="Q";col_Percen t_Flagged_Temperature>30="Q" column 17. col_Percent_Missing_Temperature>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Temperature>10="Q";col_Percen t_Flagged_Temperature>30="Q" column 18. col_Percent_Missing_Temperature>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Temperature>10="Q";col_Percen t_Flagged_Temperature>30="Q" column 19. none column 20. none column 21. none column 22. none column 23. none column 24. col_Percent_Missing_Conductivity>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Conductivity>10="Q";col_Perc ent_Flagged_Conductivity>30="Q" column 25. col_Percent_Missing_Conductivity>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Conductivity>10="Q";col_Perc ent_Flagged_Conductivity>30="Q" column 26. col_Percent_Missing_Conductivity>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Conductivity>10="Q";col_Perc ent_Flagged_Conductivity>30="Q" column 27. col_Percent_Missing_Conductivity>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Conductivity>10="Q";col_Perc ent_Flagged_Conductivity>30="Q" column 28. col_Percent_Missing_Conductivity>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Conductivity>10="Q";col_Perc ent_Flagged_Conductivity>30="Q" column 29. none column 30. none column 31. none column 32. none column 33. none column 34. col_Percent_Missing_Pressure>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Pressure>10="Q";col_Percent_Flag ged_Pressure>30="Q" column 35. col_Percent_Missing_Pressure>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Pressure>10="Q";col_Percent_Flag ged_Pressure>30="Q" column 36. col_Percent_Missing_Pressure>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Pressure>10="Q";col_Percent_Flag ged_Pressure>30="Q" column 37. col_Percent_Missing_Pressure>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Pressure>10="Q";col_Percent_Flag ged_Pressure>30="Q" column 38. col_Percent_Missing_Pressure>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Pressure>10="Q";col_Percent_Flag ged_Pressure>30="Q" column 39. none column 40. none column 41. none column 42. none column 43. none column 44. col_Percent_Missing_Depth>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Depth>10="Q";col_Percent_Flagged_De pth>30="Q" column 45. col_Percent_Missing_Depth>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Depth>10="Q";col_Percent_Flagged_De pth>30="Q" column 46. col_Percent_Missing_Depth>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Depth>10="Q";col_Percent_Flagged_De pth>30="Q" column 47. col_Percent_Missing_Depth>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Depth>10="Q";col_Percent_Flagged_De pth>30="Q" column 48. col_Percent_Missing_Depth>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Depth>10="Q";col_Percent_Flagged_De pth>30="Q" column 49. none column 50. none column 51. none column 52. none column 53. none column 54. col_Percent_Missing_Salinity>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Salinity>10="Q";col_Percent_Flag ged_Salinity>30="Q" column 55. col_Percent_Missing_Salinity>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Salinity>10="Q";col_Percent_Flag ged_Salinity>30="Q" column 56. col_Percent_Missing_Salinity>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Salinity>10="Q";col_Percent_Flag ged_Salinity>30="Q" column 57. col_Percent_Missing_Salinity>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Salinity>10="Q";col_Percent_Flag ged_Salinity>30="Q" column 58. col_Percent_Missing_Salinity>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Salinity>10="Q";col_Percent_Flag ged_Salinity>30="Q" column 59. none column 60. none column 61. none column 62. none column 63. none column 64. col_Percent_Missing_Sigma_t>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Sigma_t>10="Q";col_Percent_Flagge d_Sigma_t>30="Q" column 65. col_Percent_Missing_Sigma_t>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Sigma_t>10="Q";col_Percent_Flagge d_Sigma_t>30="Q" column 66. col_Percent_Missing_Sigma_t>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Sigma_t>10="Q";col_Percent_Flagge d_Sigma_t>30="Q" column 67. col_Percent_Missing_Sigma_t>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Sigma_t>10="Q";col_Percent_Flagge d_Sigma_t>30="Q" column 68. col_Percent_Missing_Sigma_t>40="I";col_Percent_Missing_Sigma_t>10="Q";col_Percent_Flagge d_Sigma_t>30="Q" C. Data Anomalies: V. Supplemental Descriptors A. Data Acquisition 1. Data Forms: Copies of CTD cast logs and raw data are maintained at the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Information Management Office 2. Form Location: GCE-LTER Information Management Office, Dept. of Marine Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 3. Data Entry Validation: B. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: QA/QC flags are generated automatically according to domain criteria specified for each data column, then subsequently reviewed and revised as appropriate. Coded flag columns are generated for each data column, listing qualifier flags assigned to the data value on the corresponding row. C. Supplemental Materials: not applicable D. Computer Programs: Sea-Bird Electronics Sea-Soft version 4.246, MATLAB version 2013B E. Archival Practices: Data sets and documentation are stored in structured binary (Matlab 5.x files) and delimited ASCII text formats, and archived on magnetic tape and CD at the GCE LTER Information Management Office at the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA F. Publications: not specified G. History of Data Set Usage 1. Data Request History: not specified 2. Data Set Update History: none 3. Review History: none 4. Questions and Comments from Users: none