Oelker, Julia (2026): Continuous optical chlorophyll-a and turbidity data along RV MARIA S. MERIAN cruise MSM140/2 [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.995185

Underway optical chlorophyll-a and turbidity data were collected along the cruise track with Sea-Bird Scientific ECO FLNTU sensors installed within two autonomous measurement containers, as part of the "Reinseewassersystem" (RSWS). The containers measure alternatingly. While one container is measuring, the other one is being cleaned. The boxes switched generally every 6 hours. The water inlet for the RSWS is at about 6.5 m below sea surface. Observed chlorophyll-a and turbidity data were both quality controlled. Analysis of the chlorophyll-a and turbidity data during parallel operation of the sensors in the two boxes showed significant differences between the sensors. The sensors were aligned resulting in consistent chlorophyll-a and turbidity time series. The corrected chlorophyll-a time series was compared against Globcolour CHL1 and chlorophyll-a derived from above-water radiometry. Details on all quality control steps and the comparisons with satellite data and chlorophyll-a from radiometry can be found in the data processing report. The chlorophyll-a data were not calibrated using reference samples. Absolute values of this data set should be challenged. The data set user should keep in mind that some parts of the time series are likely affected by non-photochemical quenching, see data processing report. It was out of the scope of the quality control to flag or correct non-photochemical quenching. The resulting data set contains the original data and corresponding quality flags achieved by the quality control algorithm as well as the corrected chlorophyll-a and corrected turbidity data with corresponding quality flags. The data source is given through the name of the active container. The data set contains data during transit time and station work. We recommend to use ship's speed to filter for only transit data.