Time series at critical or representative locations are an essential element of the global ocean observing system. They can provide a unique view of the full temporal behavior of a system; accurate reference and long-time baseline data; and the maximum possible range of interlinked variables from the seafloor to the atmosphere while enabling shared resources. The mission of the international OceanSITES program is to collect, deliver and promote the use of high-quality data from long-term, high-frequency observations at fixed locations in the open ocean. OceanSITES typically aim to collect multidisciplinary data worldwide from the full-depth water column as well as the overlying atmosphere. The presentation will cover the status, benefits, and structure of OceanSITES, some prominent examples of long fixed timeseries in the system, and plans for the future including the OceanSITES contribution to the Deep Ocean Observing System. Some emphasis will also be placed on the data management system, delivering homogeneous data sets in a unified format from single data portals.

1. The GOOS/JCOMM global network of fixed-location
open-ocean sustained time series sites‐
Goal is enabling/collecting multi-disciplinary
“reference data” (oceanic Keeling Curves) with high
temporal resolution.
(reference data can mean high-quality calibration references,
baselines for global change, or contextual data for process
studies)

2. All sites are or aim to be:
- sustained
- serving multiple disciplines
- open-ocean or relevant for the open ocean
- freely sharing their data

3. The OceanSITES data system
OceanSITES
•has developed a time series data format based on international standards
(netCDF files with CF metadata conventions) which can be used by anybody
•has an active and experienced data management team
•provides a data management system (regional DACs, GDACs, archive) with
formatting support, to disseminate data
•freely shares data publicly without delay
•works with scientific user communities e.g. via GOOS, CLIVAR panels, and
regional/thematic groups, to engage data users

4. New emphasis of community/user engagement via usage
of the existing infrastructure,
e.g. sharing of platforms (“moorings of opportunity”) and sensors
•provide existing moorings for other PI’s or programs to add sensors
•provide sensors to add to moorings of others in OceanSITES
•use existing sites as RADs (researcher aggregating devices)
•share operating costs and ship time, saving cost for all involved parties
(example California Current: NOAA climate, NOAA OA program, NOAA fisheries)
•can quickly and at low cost respond to emerging new needs
(example Deep Ocean Observations)
OceanSITES moorings can carry nearly any sensors desired.

5. Initial emphasis on deep T/S measurements
Several types of contributions
1.Sites which already had deep T/S measurements
2.PIs willing to add deep T/S sensors to existing moorings to contribute to DOOS
3.OceanSITES pool of sensors exists which can be used to enhance additional
existing moorings
4.Completely new sites which
could be started using
OceanSITES sensors:
needs community mandate/
DOOS interaction
5.Can also add BGC sensors….
OceanSITES contribution to the DOOS
(Deep Ocean Observing System):

6. OceanSITES visions for core biogeochemical and
ecosystem observations at subset of sites
Looking for enhanced
interaction and
collaboration with bgc and
ecosystem communities

7. Join forces with BGC and ecosystem programs/communities
Achieve high percentage of data submission
Generate set of products and indices from the network
Close gaps in the global coverage
Make OceanSITES infrastructure widely used and attract programs,
scientists, process studies to/around the sites.
Develop routine users, especially for model validation and other
reference data needs
Forward Look

8. Please visit
www.oceansites.org
for list of benefits, Mission Statement,
Governance, data manuals (data submission,
data use, data format), etc.
Thank you