20 



PROCESSING OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA 



with taking and processing data. In the case 

 of processing forms, the selection of column 

 headings will depend somewhat on the type of 

 processing tables or aids used. If, for instance, 

 the total temperature correction, AT, is com- 

 puted directly, the form does not require space 

 for / and C. Some space is always left for 

 items to be added in the ever changing param- 

 eters. 



Some forms are designed so that sea observa- 

 tions and their processing are combined on one 

 or two sheets. This makes it possible to use the 

 original data during processing, thus eliminating 

 the necessity for transcribing columns of data 

 from other sheets, with consequent increased 

 chances for error. Such combination forms are, 

 however, necessarily large and awkward to 

 handle, especially at sea. A more customary 

 practice is to use separate forms for recording 

 sea data. Such forms are generally not over 



8 by 10 inches, and are made up on transparent 

 paper for duplication by contact printing. 



In the following section, several sample forms 

 of various types are presented, together with 

 explanations of their respective column head- 

 ings. These forms apply chiefly to repeated 

 measurements of temperature and salinity. 

 At the end of the section is a discussion of the 

 preparation of horizontal and vertical sections 

 as an effective means of presenting processed 

 data in graphical form. 



OBSERVED SEA DATA 



The first form, "Observed Sea Data," il- 

 lustrates the serial data as received for proc- 

 essing. It normally contains, in addition to 

 the serial data, other information pertinent to a 

 particular oceanographic station. An example 

 of this form, together with entries and units 

 used, is given in figure 22. 



OBSERVED SEA DATA 



Figure 22.— Form 1 with example for "OBSERVED SEA DATA." 



