Data Access Policy and Account Registration

Access to the data archived within SeaBASS follows the NASA Earth Science Data and Information Policy. NASA's Earth Science program was established to use the advanced technology of NASA to understand and protect our home planet by using our view from space to study the Earth system and improve prediction of Earth system change. To meet this challenge, NASA promotes the full and open sharing of all data with the research and applications communities, private industry, academia, and the general public. The greater the availability of the data, the more quickly and effectively the user communities can utilize the information to address basic Earth science questions and provide the basis for developing innovative practical applications to benefit the general public. In this regard, all users incorporating SeaBASS data into their research are expected to acknowledge both their data sources (the original data contributors and SeaBASS) and NASA, and to abide by the Access Policy and the SeaBASS Account Regulations.

To register for access to Ocean Color Support Services
(including access to SeaBASS) go to Support Services Registration
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Current Access Policy Synopsis

Following the NASA Earth Science Data and Information Policy, all SeaBASS data are publicly available.
SeaBASS data are for research and education use only.
Original contributor(s) are extended authorship rights until the 3-year data collection anniversary.
The contributor(s), SeaBASS, and NASA are all to be acknowledged by all users incorporating SeaBASS data into their research (including presentations, conference proceedings, and publications).
The Ocean Biology Processing Group will periodically contribute these data to the NOAA NODC.

SeaBASS Data Access Policy

SeaBASS was designed to provide a user-friendly, searchable database of in situ bio-optical measurements to NASA Ocean Color Science Team members and to other interested individuals (members of other ocean color instrument teams, voluntary data contributors, etc.) for advanced algorithm development and data product validation purposes. In addition, SeaBASS contains a variety of data collected using different methods (e.g., subsurface and above-surface reflectance, high performance liquid chromatography, and fluorometric chl a), which are useful for measurement protocol evaluation purposes (e.g., Mueller and Austin 1995, Hooker et al. 1999, and Fargion and Mueller 2000).

Submission: Ocean color algorithm development is essentially observation limited, and rapid turnaround and access to such data are crucial for progress. Principal Investigators (PIs) funded under a NASA contract or grant agree to provide in situ data within 6-months of data collection, but no later than one year. International Science Team members and members of other ocean color instrument teams who are making suitable observations for algorithm development and validation are encouraged to provide their data as well, to foster collaboration.

Formats and Metadata: Data should be provided in the currently agreed-upon format, along with relevant information describing collection conditions, instrument specifications, instrument performance and calibration, and statements of data accuracy. The currently used data format specifications and examples are posted on the SeaBASS Web site. The provider should use FCHECK, which is an automated format checker program, to test the format validity of SeaBASS data files via return e-mail. Appropriate instrument information, cruise reports, and calibration histories are expected from each data provider. For data providers supported by NASA, submission of the above information is mandatory. Data values shall be in appropriate units (e.g., providing volts together with conversion coefficients and drift data is unacceptable). High level data sets, such as normalized water-leaving radiance spectra, are encouraged together with descriptions or citations of the procedures used to derive the values. Descriptions of data should be segmented into logical groupings, e.g., by station, date, parameter, etc. Data quality, calibration traceability and history, instrument drift, and sampling protocols may be in text format. Future recommended format modifications may be proposed during NASA Ocean Color Science Team meetings and then discussed for approval and implementation.

Data Delivery and Access: Researchers, who are supported by the a NASA grant or contract, will be required to deliver data to the Ocean Biology Processing Group within six months, but no later than one year, of data collection. Access to the digital data will be made available to the NASA Ocean Color Science Team and other approved users as soon as the SeaBASS administrators have assured the data pass quality control criteria. After the third-year anniversary of data collection, all data will be given to the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) for distribution. Exceptions to this plan may be made with the approval of the Ocean Color Science Team.

Use Conditions: Prior to the three-year data collection anniversary, users of data will be required to provide proper credit and acknowledgment of the provider. A citation should also be made of the data archive. Users of data are encouraged to discuss relevant findings with the provider early in the research. The user is required to give all providers of the data being used a copy of any manuscript resulting from use of the data prior to the initial submission for publication, thus giving the data provider an opportunity to comment on the paper. The provider(s) shall have the right to be named as a co-author. All users and providers are requested to report possible data errors or mislabeling found in the database, to the SeaBASS administration.

Updates and Corrections: A major purpose of the SeaBASS database is to facilitate comparisons between in situ observations (regionally, temporally, by technique, by investigator, etc.), as well as between in situ and remotely sensed observations. Updates and corrections to submitted data sets are encouraged. Records will be maintained of updates and corrections; summaries of updates will be posted on a database board, and users shall be notified of the updates. It will be the provider's responsibility to ensure that the current data in the archive is identical to the data used in the provider's most recent publications or current research. When an investigator has determined that the data sets are final, a written certification of data quality is mandatory.

Distribution: After receiving the final data, the Ocean Biology Processing Group will forward the data at the appropriate time to NODC for open distribution. A courtesy citation, naming the provider and the funding agency, will accompany the data. The OBPG will not be held responsible for any data errors or misuse.

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SeaBASS Account Regulations

Eligibility

By accessing the SeaBASS archive, you agree to:

use the data for research and educational purposes only
refrain from redistributing the data
acknowledge NASA, SeaBASS, and the original data contributor(s) in any publication or communication

The SeaBASS Administrator

Reserves the right to:

monitor accounts, IP addresses and passwords
implement new security measurements as necessary

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Author/Site Curator: Jeremy Werdell
Responsible NASA Official: Charles McClain
Last revised 17 April 2007