The use of gliders for oceanographic science: the data processing gap

Abstract

Autonomous gliders represent a step change in the way oceanographic data can be collected and as such they are increasingly seen as valuable tools in the oceanographer’s arsenal. However, their increase in use has left a gap regarding the conversion of the signals that their sensors collect into scientifically useable data.

At present the novelty of gliders means that only a few research groups within the UK are capable of processing glider data whilst the wider oceanographic community is often unaware that requesting deployment of a glider by MARS does not mean that they will be provided with fully processed and calibrated data following the deployment.
This is not a failing of MARS – it is not in their remit – but it does mean that a solution is needed at the UK community level. The solution is also needed quickly given the rapidly growing glider fleet and requests to use it.

To illustrate the far from trivial resources and issues needed to solve this problem at a community level, this document briefly summarises the resources and steps involved in carrying glider data through from collection to final product, for the glider owning research groups within the UK which have the capability.

This report does not provide a recommendation on whether such a community facility should be the responsibility of NOC, BODC or MARS but does provide information on possible protocols and available software that could be part of a solution.

This report does, however, recommend that, to support the growing use of the MARS gliders, a permanently staffed group is needed as a priority, to provide data processing and calibration necessary to allow the translation of glider missions into high impact scientific publications.

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