BODC joins the SeaDataNet Virtual Data System

The British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC), with an initial contribution of more than 10,000 data series, has joined 24 other SeaDataNet partners actively providing data through the SeaDataNet Virtual Data System. The system is based on an index, the Common Data Index (CDI), which is populated with ISO19115-based metadata records to describe data stored in either netCDF or a simple ASCII format.

SeaDataNet partners in Europe ©

The CDI is searchable through a portal interface, which provides a range of filtering options to identify data (profile, time series or trajectory) of interest that may be added to a 'shopping trolley' for subsequent delivery.

Most data in the system are freely available under the terms and conditions of the SeaDataNet licence but some may require negotiation with the data owners before they can be released. User registration, which includes agreeing to the SeaDataNet licence, is mandatory.

The SeaDataNet partnership brings together 49 major European institutes and marine data centres from 35 countries in and around Europe. These include

• 40 National Oceanographic Data Centres and Satellite Data Centres — representing the backbone of the marine data and information infrastructure
• Research laboratories and modelling centres — experts in the development of value-added products
• Four International Organisations

They manage large sets of data, originating from their own institutes and from other parties in their country, using a variety of data management systems and configurations.

Oceanology International 2010

The British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC) will be participating in the forthcoming Oceanology International event (Oi10). This takes place from 09-11 March 2010 at ExCeL London, the international exhibition and conference centre in London’s Docklands.

Oceanology International is the world’s premier meeting place for the marine science and ocean technology community. Exhibits will include the latest innovations from a huge selection of marine technology suppliers, and the event will also include a conference, visiting vessels and live demonstrations.

BODC stand at OI 2008.©

BODC will have its own stand (L250), in the ‘Next generation UK marine science’ grouping. We will focus on

• Online data search and delivery
• Latest projects e.g. GEOTRACES
• End-to-end data management
  

Come and visit us and pick up a BODC brochure, a free GEBCO poster (showing the GEBCO world map) and, new for 2010, a BODC badge!

Download a floorplan of the stands at Oi10 (751 KB)