Motivation

The historical archive of global ocean subsurface temperature contains a large proportion of poorly quality-controlled as well as biased data. As a result, efforts to analyze past ocean change and variability are confounded, as is the use of ocean data assimilation systems (e.g. Bluelink, SODA, etc). Currently many data centers perform automated 'quick and dirty QC' - redoing the same job poorly many times around the world. There have been no previous efforts to form a clean and definitive and very much needed historical archive. No single group has the manpower and resources to do the job properly - thus international cooperation is needed.

Project goal

A high-quality historical subsurface ocean temperature (salinity) global dataset, along with the most complete metadata information and formal error measurements for climate research needs.

Workshop goals

To start discussions on the internationally coordinated strategy to deliver and maintain a historical subsurface ocean temperature (salinity) archive of the highest quality possible, we will be holding an initial workshop in Hobart (12-14 June.

Workshop outcomes:

• Definition and documentation of the scope, methodologies and timeline for the project;
• Establishing QC system and data management protocols for subsurface ocean temperature data;
• Delegation of tasks to working groups;
• Outline of a science and implementation plan for submission to CLIVAR for endorsement;
• Commitments to funding or pathways for application for funding for the life of the project.

Sponsors:

	Climate Variability and Predictability Project (CLIVAR)
	Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
	World Climate Research Programme (WCRP)
	Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
	National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
	US CLIVAR