Parameter
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Data submissions are required to use parameters, as defined in the dictionary. Parameters are always accompanied by a unit. New parameters are defined by the Editor in Chief on request.
The parameters related to a dataset are listed in the dataset metaheader.
Definition of parameters
Mandatory fields are underlined; unused columns and lines in import files should be deleted.
- Parameter Name contains the full name of the parameter. Parameter Name in combination with the unit must be unique in PANGAEA. Parameter names have the most important specification in the beginning, followed by all describing terms in hierarchic order. Example: when dissolved organic carbon is measured, carbon is the main parameter information, followed by organic and the description of it's condition dissolved = Parameter Name Carbon, organic, dissolved. Do not use abbreviations in the parameter name. Compare the new parameter name with existing parameters and follow their syntax.
- Abbreviation or short name of the parameter; is used in the header of data sets. The Abbreviation gives a short form of the parameter name, it never contains comma. Delta notation is given by d, standard deviation and standard errors are std dev and std e. Example: abbreviation of the parameter Carbon, organic, dissolved is DOC.
- Unit should be given for all numeric-parameters and should follow standard use i.a. already existing parameter should only be defined with an other unit if the values can not be converted from one to an other. The unit does not contain chemical formulas, elements or the sampling milieu. This must be given in the Parameter name. Text-parameters have no unit, delete the unit column in import form or leave empty. Example: parameter Carbon, organic, dissolved has the unit µmol/kg not µmol C/kg.