726
Diepenbroek et al.
(MacTransfer). The file format used by
MacTransfer to calculate the raw data is proprietary and thus not supported by the database. The
preprocessor included in the PaleoTool routines
converts the proxy data from a given microfossil
assemblage into the import file format for
MacTransfer. It is controlled via a 'project file'
which can be assembled with the PaleoTools software. Export files can directly be processed with
a spreadsheet software or PanPlot. The PaleoTools
also allow microfossils to be counted with the aid
of a computer keyboard. Another way to calculate
paleoclimatic parameters from proxy data is the
Modem Analog Technique (Imbrie and Purdy 1962;
Houston 1980). The software MacMA T, as a further part of the PANGAEA tools, reads the
proxy data and calculates, for example,
paleotemperatures. The results can be read by
spreadsheet software, plotted with PanPlot and
imported into PANGAEA.
Conclusions
PANGAEA is an information system to archive any
site-oriented data from research on the variability
of climate and on environmental changes. Data are
stored in a consistent format together with the related meta-information necessary for their understanding. With its graphical user interface
and the standardized import and export routines
PANGAEA is a universal system which can be
used easily and which is unique so far. The data
model of PANGAEA enables the user to start
comprehensive retrievals and to extract the retrieved data sets for specific requirements.
The export of individually configured collections
of meta-data, analytical data, proxy data and
paleoclimatic parameters can enhance the collaboration between scientists producing proxy data and
scientist using those data in models. Access on
published data is ensured via a WWW-interface.
The network concept, providing access through the
Internet, allows the build-up of a data exchange and
communication network for different institutes
working on the same library of data sets.
PANGAEA will allow a more efficient evaluation
and interpretation of the comprehensive data sets
produced in today' s research projects and thus will
provide a new scientific tool for solving problems
to improve our understanding of Earth system dynamics.
Acknowledgments
This project was financed by the German Ministry
of Education, Science, Research and Technology
(BMBF), Fund No: 03F0131B (PalaoklirnaDatenzentrum). The authors are indebted to Bjorn
Grieger and an anonymous reviewer for improving the manuscript. This is Publication No. 1320 of
the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and
Marine Research and Contribution No. 175 of the
Sonderforschungsbereich 261 at Bremen University. Detailed information on PANGAEA is
available on request through the email
'info@pangaea.de'. Data and tools can be
accessed through: http://www.pangaea.de.
References
Emiliani C (1955) Pleistocene temperatures. J Geo163:
538-578
Grobe H, Mackensen A (1992) Late Quaternary climatic
cycles as recorded in sediments from the Antarctic
continental margin. In: KennettJP, WamkeDA (eds)
The Antarctic Paleoenvironment: A Perspective on
Global Change. AGU, Antarctic Research Series,
pp349-376
Houston WH (1980) The Agulhas current during the late
Pleistocene: analysis of modern faunal analogs.
Science 207: 64-66
Imbrie J, Kipp NG (1971) A new micropaleontological
method for quantitive paleoclimatology: application
to a late Pleistocene Caribbean core. In: Turekian K
(ed) The late Cenozoic glacial ages. Yale University
Press, New Haven, pp 71-181
Imbrie J, Purdy EG (1962) Classification of modern
Bahamian carbonate sediments. Mem Assoc Petr
GeolI: 253-272
IOC (1994) Supporting volume to the 'GEBCO Digital Atlas' published on behalf of the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission and the International
Hydrographic Organization as part of the General
Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO). British
Oceanographic Data Centre, Birkenhead with
CD-ROM
Levitus S, Boyer T (1994) World Ocean Atlas 1994 Volume 4: Temperature. NOAA Atlas NESDIS 4, US
Dept of Commerce, Washington DC
Diepenbroek et al.
(MacTransfer). The file format used by
MacTransfer to calculate the raw data is proprietary and thus not supported by the database. The
preprocessor included in the PaleoTool routines
converts the proxy data from a given microfossil
assemblage into the import file format for
MacTransfer. It is controlled via a 'project file'
which can be assembled with the PaleoTools software. Export files can directly be processed with
a spreadsheet software or PanPlot. The PaleoTools
also allow microfossils to be counted with the aid
of a computer keyboard. Another way to calculate
paleoclimatic parameters from proxy data is the
Modem Analog Technique (Imbrie and Purdy 1962;
Houston 1980). The software MacMA T, as a further part of the PANGAEA tools, reads the
proxy data and calculates, for example,
paleotemperatures. The results can be read by
spreadsheet software, plotted with PanPlot and
imported into PANGAEA.
Conclusions
PANGAEA is an information system to archive any
site-oriented data from research on the variability
of climate and on environmental changes. Data are
stored in a consistent format together with the related meta-information necessary for their understanding. With its graphical user interface
and the standardized import and export routines
PANGAEA is a universal system which can be
used easily and which is unique so far. The data
model of PANGAEA enables the user to start
comprehensive retrievals and to extract the retrieved data sets for specific requirements.
The export of individually configured collections
of meta-data, analytical data, proxy data and
paleoclimatic parameters can enhance the collaboration between scientists producing proxy data and
scientist using those data in models. Access on
published data is ensured via a WWW-interface.
The network concept, providing access through the
Internet, allows the build-up of a data exchange and
communication network for different institutes
working on the same library of data sets.
PANGAEA will allow a more efficient evaluation
and interpretation of the comprehensive data sets
produced in today' s research projects and thus will
provide a new scientific tool for solving problems
to improve our understanding of Earth system dynamics.
Acknowledgments
This project was financed by the German Ministry
of Education, Science, Research and Technology
(BMBF), Fund No: 03F0131B (PalaoklirnaDatenzentrum). The authors are indebted to Bjorn
Grieger and an anonymous reviewer for improving the manuscript. This is Publication No. 1320 of
the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and
Marine Research and Contribution No. 175 of the
Sonderforschungsbereich 261 at Bremen University. Detailed information on PANGAEA is
available on request through the email
'info@pangaea.de'. Data and tools can be
accessed through: http://www.pangaea.de.
References
Emiliani C (1955) Pleistocene temperatures. J Geo163:
538-578
Grobe H, Mackensen A (1992) Late Quaternary climatic
cycles as recorded in sediments from the Antarctic
continental margin. In: KennettJP, WamkeDA (eds)
The Antarctic Paleoenvironment: A Perspective on
Global Change. AGU, Antarctic Research Series,
pp349-376
Houston WH (1980) The Agulhas current during the late
Pleistocene: analysis of modern faunal analogs.
Science 207: 64-66
Imbrie J, Kipp NG (1971) A new micropaleontological
method for quantitive paleoclimatology: application
to a late Pleistocene Caribbean core. In: Turekian K
(ed) The late Cenozoic glacial ages. Yale University
Press, New Haven, pp 71-181
Imbrie J, Purdy EG (1962) Classification of modern
Bahamian carbonate sediments. Mem Assoc Petr
GeolI: 253-272
IOC (1994) Supporting volume to the 'GEBCO Digital Atlas' published on behalf of the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission and the International
Hydrographic Organization as part of the General
Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO). British
Oceanographic Data Centre, Birkenhead with
CD-ROM
Levitus S, Boyer T (1994) World Ocean Atlas 1994 Volume 4: Temperature. NOAA Atlas NESDIS 4, US
Dept of Commerce, Washington DC