Manual for Real-Time Quality Control of Phytoplankton Data: A Guide to Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Phytoplankton Observations. Version 1.0.

Abstract

The purpose of this manual is to provide guidance to the U.S. IOOS and the ocean-observing community at large for the real-time QC of phytoplankton measurements using an agreed-upon, documented, and implemented standard process. This manual is also a deliverable to the U.S. IOOS Regional Associations and the ocean-observing community and represents a contribution to a collection of core variable QC documents. Most operators provide real-time data on a provisional basis, alerting users that post-processing is required to validate their data. However, even these provisional data should be quality controlled. Data released in real time should be subjected to automated QC processes, which: 1) provide a quality-control indicator, 2) alert the operator when questionable or interesting data are presented, and 3) prevent the dissemination of unreliable data. These practices for sensor QC of phytoplankton data were developed by operators with experience using a variety of sensors and detection technologies.