Data Formats and Codes
Below is a table of the principal NCEI data storage (or data output) formats and codes. Some may be quite old, but are listed here because they can still be obtained in these formats. This list covers only data stored in the NCEI ocean archive databases; it does not include formats for all NCEI (and former NODC) data collections on CD-ROM, DVD, or other various online projects. CD-ROM/DVD datasets and online projects are described in documentation files included with each data product.
NCEI netCDF templates
Based off of Attribute Conventions for Dataset Discovery (ACDD), and Climate and Forecast (CF) Conventions. Please use the decision tree to identify which template works for your data. Then select the appropriate template below:
Documentation on World Ocean Database format description
Includes documentation necessary for accessing, reading, and using WOD data.
Codes used to read World Ocean Database data
Includes Institute codes, Country codes, Ship codes, etc.
NODC Code Lists
Text lists of old NODC codes:
- Country (deprecated)
- Institution
- Platform (Ship) (now managed by ICES)
- Project
- Person
- Seaname
Bioxls
Spreadsheet style format and conventions used by the World Ocean Database. This format is often found in the Ocean Archive System for older data sets that were converted from paper documents.
Taxonomic Code for Biological Species
NCEI no longer maintains this code, but is still available on the ITIS website. We also have information about the old Taxonomic Code CD-ROM that is now out-of-date.
| Database / Data File Name | Record Layout | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Oceanographic Profiles and Buoy Data | ||
| World Ocean Database | WOD | WOD Codes |
| NOAA Marine Environmental Buoy Data | F291 | |
| Universal Bathythermograph Output Format | UBT | UBT Codes |
| High-Resolution CTD/STD Output Format | F022 | F022 Codes |
| Station Data II Output Format | SD2 | SD2 Codes |
| Oceanographic Profile Data - older format | P3 | |
| Sea Level Data | ||
| Hourly | F184 | F184 Codes |
| Daily | F185 | F185 Codes |
| Monthly | F186 | F186 Codes |
| Principal MULDARS Data Formats* | ||
| Current Meter Data (Resultants) | F005 | N/A |
| Current Meter Data (Components) | F015 | F015 Codes |
| Ocean Drifter Data | F156 | F156 Codes |
| Surface Current Data System | SCUDS | N/A |
| Water Physics and Chemistry | F004 | F004 Codes |
| Marine Chemistry | F069 | N/A |
| Marine Toxic Substances and Pollutants | F144 | F144 Codes |
| Phytoplankton | F028 | Taxonomic Code |
| Zooplankton | F124 | F124 Codes |
| Primary Productivity 1 | F029 | F029 Codes |
| Primary Productivity 2 | F049 | F049 Codes |
| Inter-tidal Organisms and Habitats | F030 | F030 Codes |
| Inter-tidal/Sub-tidal Organisms and Habitats | F100 | F100 Codes |
| Benthic Organisms | F132 | F132 Codes |
| Fish/Shell-fish Surveys | F123 | F123 Codes |
| Marine Mammal Sighting and Census | F127 | F127 Codes |
| Wind Measurements from Buoys | F101 | F101 Codes |
| Pressure Gauge Data | F017 | F017 Codes |
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