A novel metadata standard for in situ marine spectroscopy campaigns

Metadata are an important component in the cataloguing and analysis of in situ spectroscopy datasets because of their central role in identifying and quantifying the quality and reliability of spectral data and the products derived from them. This paper presents approaches to constructing a novel metadata standard for marine spectroscopy that serves to ensure a high level of reliability, integrity, and longevity for a spectroscopy dataset. Examined are the challenges presented by designing a standard that meets the unique requirements of in situ marine spectroscopy datasets, including the special case of measuring reflectance for underwater coral targets. Issues such as field measurement methods, instrument calibration, and data representativeness are investigated. The proposed metadata model incorporates expert panel recommendations that include metadata protocols critical to all campaigns, and those that are restricted to campaigns for specific marine environments. The implication of semantics and syntax for a robust and flexible metadata standard are also considered. Approaches towards an operational and logistically viable implementation of a schema are discussed. This paper also proposes a way forward for adapting and enhancing current geospatial metadata standards to the unique requirements of field spectroscopy.