Beyond FAIR: Manifesting marine data synthesis products within the ocean observing system : A biogeochemical essential ocean variables perspective

Efficient usage of the highly heterogeneous, high-volume biogeochemistry (BGC) essential ocean variables (EOV) data determines the success of BGC observations in supporting the development of evidence-based strategies for climate change mitigation, and adaptation, ecosystem health conservation, and sustainable resource management. Acknowledging the positive impacts of BGC EOV data synthesis products on the BGC data landscape, the overarching goal of this thesis was to further manifest BGC EOV synthesis products as an integral part in the ocean observing system.
For this purpose, first, a novel evaluation scheme was developed that enables an objective assessment of the readiness of BGC EOV data synthesis products following the system-engineering approach of the Framework of Ocean Observing. 
In parallel, over the course of this thesis annual updates of the GLobal Ocean Data Analysis Project (GLODAP) were realized since 2019. The most recent, GLODAPv2.2022, represents the largest and most consistent dataset for carbon-relevant hydrographic cruise data, including data from 1,085 hydrographic cruises with 1,381,248 water samples. Additionally, in pursue of a higher readiness for GLODAP, the vision of a uniform, semi-automatic, and standards-compliant data ingestion system in combination with a modern and versatile data extraction system were developed and outlined.
Furthermore, a pilot for the Synthesis Product for Ocean Time Series (SPOTS) was successfully produced during this thesis. Thereby, a template for a sustained living SPOTS was created and the BGC data landscape was expanded by the previously overlooked ship-based time-series programs. For the pilot, a total of 108,332 water samples from 12 ship-based time-series programs were synthesized. 
Altogether, through this thesis, important steps towards manifesting BGC EOV data synthesis products as an integral part in the ocean observing system were realized.