Environmental Data Quality Estimates for Ocean Data Buoys

A summary of specific data quality estimates for the major buoy systems now operationally deployed by the NOAA Data Buoy Office (NDBO) is provided. Quality estimates are included for four distinct buoy types: (1) The Prototype Environmental Buoy (PEB) - deep ocean moored, (2) the Engineering Experimental Phase Buoy (EEP) - deep ocean moored, (3) the 5.0m Discus Buoy - shallow ocean moored, and (4) the NOMAD Buoy - shallow or deep ocean moored. The quality estimates presented are a result of in situ and laboratory testing, computer modeling, and analytical evaluations. Total quality estimates, or total system errors, and some examples of total system error breakdowns into component errors, are provided for some general environmental situations. Detailed quality estimates such as these are important since efficient uses of data from measurement platforms such as buoys are dependent on a comprehensive understanding of the accuracy of the data.