CHAPTER S 



OCEANOGRAPHIC STATION SUM MARY AND PLOTTING SHEETS 



S-1 General. — Observed Oceanographic Sta- 

 tion data obtained by taking a Nansen cast such 

 as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, vari- 

 ous nutrients, and depth should be consolidated 

 or summarized on one log sheet and plotted on 

 Oceanograpliic Station Plotting Sheets. The 

 Station Summaiy , Oceanographic Log Sheet-E, 

 PRNC-NAVOCEANO-3167/5 (Rev.-l-63), 

 (fig. S-1) is used to consolidate and sum- 

 marize the observed oceanographic surface ob- 

 servations, temperatures, and depths from the 

 Log Sheet-A and the water sample analysis re- 

 sults from the Various Log Sheets-C, D, etc. In 

 addition, space is provided on the E-Sheet for 

 recording computed density (o-t), sound veloc- 

 ity, and dynamic calculations and for recording 

 standard depth interpolated data 'values. 



The Oceanographic Station Plotting Sheet, 

 PRNC-NHO-3167/55 (3-62) (fig. S-2), is 

 used for plotting profiles of various oceano- 

 graphic data. These graphs and profiles serve 

 many uses in studies and interpretation of the 

 data. For example, some of the immediate im- 

 portant shipboard applications include check- 

 mg for possible errors in computations, sample 

 analyses, and Nansen bottle spacing; determm- 

 ing which thermometer of a pair to accept when 

 they differ by more than .06° C. ; and mterpo- 

 lating standard depths from the plotted ob- 

 served values. 



S-2 Station Summary of Observed Ocean- 

 ographic Values. — After the A-Sheet compu- 

 tations are completed and water sample analy- 

 sis results are computed, consolidate the ocean- 

 ographic station data on the Station Summary, 

 Log Sheet-E ; then, have another person check 

 each entry to make certain the data have been 

 transcribed correctly. The following checking 

 procedure is recommended : As each item is ver- 

 ified, the checker should j^lace a dot (with a 

 colored pencil) over the correct entry on the 

 E-Sheet. Bo not erase to correct. With a colored 

 pencil, enter the correct value above the incor- 

 rect item. Do not code items on the E-Sheet. 

 Space limitations in several of the blocks on the 

 E-Sheet heading may require that further in- 

 formation be given on the back of the log sheet. 

 Density {ui) for each observed temperature- 

 salinity value can be computed using table 10, 

 Determining Density of Sea Water, in Special 



Publication 68 (SP-68), Handbook of Ocean- 

 ographic Tables, U.S. Naval Oceanographic 

 Office; and sound speed for each observed tem- 

 perature-salinity-depth value also can be com- 

 puted using table 12, Sound Speed, in (SP-68) . 

 Enter density in Observed Values at column 

 and sound velocity in the right hand column on 

 the E-Sheet. 



S-3 Plotting Observed Oceanographic 

 Values. — After the surface observations, serial 

 numbers, accepted depths, temperatures, and 

 water sample analysis results have been entered 

 on the E-Sheet and verified, plot the observed 

 oceanographic values on the Oceanographic 

 Station plotting sheet. All graphs and profiles 

 should be drawn with great care. Use a pencil 

 no softer than a number 3H drawing pencil. 

 Keep the point sharp and draw fine clear lines. 

 Plot all data accurately. 



To aid in the interpretation of data, use the 

 LT.S. Naval Oceanographic Office standard set 

 of data symbols given in table S-1, Standard 

 oceanographic data symbols. The point in the 

 symbol indicates the data value, and the symbol 

 indicates the type observation. 



Use french or ship cun-es to construct lines. 

 Draw curves through the plotted points in such 

 a manner that the points appear to lie on the 

 curve rather than being connected by cur\'ed 

 lines. This can be done easily with a little prac- 

 tice. 



If the station depth exceeds the length of the 

 graph, extend the plot by attaching part of 

 another sheet to the bottom with rubber cement. 

 A longer version of the plotting sheet (NDW 

 NAVOCEANO 3167/56 (Rev. 3-66) is avail- 

 able for very deep oceanographic stations. 



S-4 Temperature-Salinity (T-S) Curves.— 



The T-S curves are useful in detecting possible 

 errors in the determination of temperature and 



Table S-1. Standard oceanographic data symbols 



S-1 



