Comparing excel outputs

Hi there, I am currently studying for a Masters in Marine Biology at Southampton University (UK). I am looking at the distribution of whale sharks around the Seychelles relative to ADCP data, but I’ve run into a bit of a problem with the ADCP data. I have been given two excel outputs by a scientist out there.

Two different Nortek ADCPs have been located at a single point, one from mid 2007 to early 2008 and one from mid 2008 to early 2009. The Nortek software has given one output into excel for each timescale which I am using to analyse the currents. However, in the 07-08 spreadsheet the 'cell' structure of the water column is present in the results, yet in the 08-09 spreadsheet this has been 'averaged' into a single value for the whole water column. The problem I am having is that I cannot find out how the Nortek software went from the several depth cells in the first spreadsheet to the single value per sample in the second spreadsheet. My project is in for 3^rd of May so this problem needs to be sorted out fairly quickly, so I greatly appreciate any help that you could offer me!

I’m afraid that the person who gave me the excel outputs is currently not available to contact as he is out in the field somewhere so I cannot ask him any more questions about what exact software he used!

Sorry if my inexperience with ADCP shows!

Many thanks, Jenny

Hi Jenny,

This will a difficult one for us to sort since we don't have much control over the post-processing of data once it's been collected. I would guess, however, that the one value from 08–09 is simply a depth averaged value. You can replicate this by just averaging each profile collected in time over all of the cells in the water column. So, if each column represents a point in time, just average down each column.

Also, suggest to the scientist who sent you the data he should include a short readme file explaining how the data was processed for the future

P.J.

Hi Peter,

Thankyou very much for such a prompt reply! I shall average the depths down, I figured this might be the best thing to do, but thought I'd check with you guys first!

Thanks again,

Jenny

p.s. I shall definitely recommend the readme file for next time!!