Updates to Water Quality (DP1.20288) have been completed

Based on recommendations from our Aquatics Technical Working Group (TWG) and feedback from data users, we have made several updates to the Water quality (DP1.20288.001) data product.

Dissolved Oxygen percent saturation continues to be reported relative to sea level atmospheric pressure (760 mm Hg or 101.325 kPa) as in previously released data; however, the header has been changed from dissolvedOxygenSaturation to seaLevelDissolvedOxygenSat for more clarity. Dissolved oxygen saturation is also now reported relative to the measured local atmospheric pressure of the site using localDissolvedOxygenSat as the header. Dissolved Oxygen concentrations in mg/L have always been calibrated using local atmospheric pressure and are unchanged.

Chlorophyll-a is no longer being measured at wadeable stream sites, where concentrations were rarely outside the uncertainty range of the sensor. At lake and river sites, chlorophyll-a continues to be reported in concentrations of μg/L (as estimated using YSI's pigment concentration-fluorescence relationship). Because this relationship varies across algal assemblages, we have begun publishing the relative fluorescence values in RFU as well.

By continuing to publish in the original units, data will remain backwards compatible following these updates. Any users with questions or in need of assistance, please use the Contact Us form for further inquiries; select DP1.20288.001 in the Data Product dropdown list and include the term "INC0052122" in the body of your request.