We Want To Work With You!

In the past, basic hydrographic, biological, and chemical data collected under the CARIACO program have been routinely delivered both to the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC-NOAA) and to NASA's SeaBASS database at monthly to semiannual intervals, depending on the dataset. This proposal includes a request for limited funds to implement a basic web-based data distribution interface with capabilities to search for data type, depth, and date range.

Our objective is to make the data from core observations available as quickly as possible. We believe that our data should be openly shared, particularly among colleagues interested in understanding the Cariaco Basin sedimentary system and processes acting there. Data will be posted immediately upon completion of quality control processes, and will be shared freely by the CARIACO PIs. The time frame for posting will vary with each of the specific data sets, but we anticipate that basic hydrography will be updated within a month of each cruise. In all cases, data submission will be openly available to the broad scientific community as soon as possible, but no later than the two year post cruise timescale required by NSF.

In the past, sediment trap samples have been made available to other investigators for ancillary studies. When possible, half of each sample is archived for future work. To date, we have provided material to colleagues for the studies of trace metal concentrations in foraminiferal carbonates, coccolithophore fluxes, and trace element ratios in lithogenic material. We will continue a policy of open sharing of trap samples as long as sufficient material is available.

We encourage third parties using the data to consider joint analysis efforts with members of the CARIACO group. This policy should augment the knowledge base generated by the core CARIACO observations.