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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Global ocean climatological dataset of 17 thermohaline parameters derived from WOA-2023 (NCEI Accession 0290372)

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This is the global ocean climatological dataset of 17 thermohaline parameters along with 2 identity-indices for determining isothermal layer (ITL) depth (ILD) and mixed layer depth (MLD) from gridded (0.25 degree, 1 degree, 5 degree) temperature and salinity fields of the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) world ocean atlas 2023. The exponential leap-forward gradient method is used to identify (ILD, MLD) as well as mean thermocline and pycnocline gradients at each horizontal grid point. With the given (ILD, MLD) and mean thermocline and pycnocline gradients, other parameters such as ITL heat content, mixed layer fresh-water content, ITL temperature, mixed layer density, temperature jump, density jump, maximum thermocline gradient, thermocline depth, temperature at thermocline depth, maximum density gradient, pycnocline depth, density at pycnocline depth, ILD minus MLD. The quality measure (I- index) is provided. The data of (ILD, MLD, as well as their derived parameters) are flagged out with the I-index smaller than 0.5. All derived parameters are calculated from WOA-2023 objectively analyzed profile data. Results are in NetCDF.
  • Cite as: Chu, Peter C.; Fan, Chenwu (2024). Global ocean climatological dataset of 17 thermohaline parameters derived from WOA-2023 (NCEI Accession 0290372). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/qjqz-g416. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0290372
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Distribution Formats
  • Originator data format
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information(link is external)
+1-301-713-3277
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information(link is external)
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 1955-01-01 to 2022-12-31
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 180
South: -90
North: 90
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Chu, P. C., & Fan, C. (2010). A Conserved Minimal Adjustment Scheme for Stabilization of Hydrographic Profiles. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 27(6), 1072–1083. https://doi.org/10.1175/2010jtecho742.1
  • Chu, P. C., Liu, Q., Jia, Y., & Fan, C. (2002). Evidence of a Barrier Layer in the Sulu and Celebes Seas. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 32(11), 3299–3309. https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485(2002)032<3299:eoabli>2.0.co;2
  • Chu, P. C., Fralick, C. R., Haeger, S. D., & Carron, M. J. (1997). A parametric model for the Yellow Sea thermal variability. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 102(C5), 10499–10507. https://doi.org/10.1029/97jc00444
  • Chu, P. C., Wang, Q., & Bourke, R. H. (1999). A Geometric Model for the Beaufort/Chukchi Sea Thermohaline Structure. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 16(6), 613–632. https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(1999)016<0613:agmftb>2.0.co;2
  • Chu, P. C., Fan, C., & Liu, W. T. (2000). Determination of Vertical Thermal Structure from Sea Surface Temperature. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 17(7), 971–979. https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(2000)017<0971:dovtsf>2.0.co;2
  • Chu, P. C., & Fan, C. (2010). Optimal Linear Fitting for Objective Determination of Ocean Mixed Layer Depth from Glider Profiles. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 27(11), 1893–1898. https://doi.org/10.1175/2010jtecho804.1
  • Chu, P. C., & Fan, C. (2011). Maximum angle method for determining mixed layer depth from seaglider data. Journal of Oceanography, 67(2), 219–230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-011-0019-2
  • Chu, P. C., & Fan, C. (2017). Exponential leap-forward gradient scheme for determining the isothermal layer depth from profile data. Journal of Oceanography, 73(4), 503–526. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-017-0418-0
  • Chu, P. C., & Fan, C. (2019). Global ocean synoptic thermocline gradient, isothermal-layer depth, and other upper ocean parameters. Scientific Data, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-019-0125-3
  • Chu, Peter C.; Fan, Chenwu (2018). Global ocean thermocline gradient, isothermal layer depth, and other upper ocean parameters calculated from WOD CTD and XBT temperature profiles from 1960-01-01 to 2017-12-31 (NCEI Accession 0173210). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/dgak-7a43.
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2024-03-22
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Purpose This dataset is available to the public for a wide variety of uses including scientific research and analysis.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Chu, Peter C.; Fan, Chenwu (2024). Global ocean climatological dataset of 17 thermohaline parameters derived from WOA-2023 (NCEI Accession 0290372). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/qjqz-g416. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Principal Investigators
Collaborators
Contributors
Resource Providers
Publishers
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Provider Keywords
  • 17 thermohaline parameters
  • Density Below MLD - Density at MLD
  • Density at Pycnocline Depth(depth at maximum gradient)
  • Fresh Water Content
  • ILD minus MLD
  • Identification Index of Isothermal Layer Depth
  • Identification Index of Mixed Layer Depth
  • Isothermal Layer Depth
  • Isothermal Layer Heat Content with the reference density 1025kg/m^3
  • Maximum Density Gradient on Pycnocline (drho/dz)
  • Maximum Gradient on Thermocline
  • Mean Gradient on Pycnocline (drho/dz)
  • Mixed Layer Depth (of Density)
  • Pycnocline Depth(depth at maximum gradient)
  • Temperature at ILD - Temperature Below ILD
  • Temperature at Thermocline Depth
  • Thermocline Depth (depth of maximum gradient)
  • Vertical Average Density in Mixed Layer
  • Vertical Average Temperature in ITL (Isothermal Layer)
Provider Observation Categories
  • same as WOA23
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords Provider Instruments
  • same as WOA23
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Keywords Send2NCEI Submission Package ID
  • NL6W3X
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Chu, Peter C.; Fan, Chenwu (2024). Global ocean climatological dataset of 17 thermohaline parameters derived from WOA-2023 (NCEI Accession 0290372). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/qjqz-g416. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2024-03-22T14:17:48Z - NCEI Accession 0290372 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Parameter or Variable: 17 thermohaline parameters (calculated); Units: various units; Observation Category: same as WOA18; Sampling Instrument: same as WOA18; Data Quality Method: Flag out the isothermal layer and mixed layer depth data with the Identity-Index values smaller than 0.5
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • bathythermograph - MBT
  • bathythermograph - XBT
  • buoy - moored buoy
  • CTD
  • profiling float
Last Modified: 2025-05-16T15:33:39Z
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