Context
Uncertainty calculation — according to the Guide of expression of uncertainty in measurement — is rarely applied in ocean observations, partly as the oceanographic community is not aware of the metrological perspective of uncertainty calculation. However, for the most part, metrological uncertainty calculations cannot simply be applied to in-situ ocean measurements for good reasons:
- Stable, repeatable, laboratory conditions cannot be realized in natural environments
- Oceanography mostly deals with huge data sets
- Field sensors may drift and often they cannot be recovered for re-calibration. In practice, oceanographers do not have resources to spend much efforts on sophisticated uncertainty calculation, since they focus on their actual scientific and oceanographic tasks.
Thus, metrology must develop easy-to-use methods for quantification of uncertainty in oceanography and establish quantified measurement uncertainty as the key quality indicator of EOVs, though considering oceanographic practice in particular.
Metrological challenge
- Development of a fit-for-purpose framework to calculate measurement uncertainties for in situ measurements of EOVs. GOOS requirements set stringent target uncertainties for many of the EOVs which are close to the level of primary standards. In contrast to this demand, the oceanographic community is rarely aware of the metrological concept of measurement uncertainties and, consequently, the assignment of quantified uncertainties to measurement results is not well established.
Key stakeholders
- OBPS, GOOS, EuroGOOS