What is involved in importing data sets into dbSEABED?
This depends on the structure and idiosyncrasies of the original data. Many data sets are simple to import into the Data Resource File (DRF) format. Others have proven to be most difficult. It is usually done by arranging data items by column in EXCEL according to a template that sets out the field locations for each data item (such as latitude, sampler type, phi grain size, and Munsell color code). Different types of data are divided between themes such as geotechnical, texture, or color. Some themes allow for a sample to be from the subbottom (as in a core). Others such as sea floor type which is dedicated to surficial sediment surveys such as those by divers and remote vehicles, treat only the sea floor surface. Although dbSEABED tries to hold data as close as possible in its original terms, this is not always possible. In the case of numeric data items, if a simple conversion of units is desirable for instance from cm into m then that can be done at data import stages. In the case
