RV CIROLANA 07/1983 Low Resolution Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) Data

July 1983 data collected by CEFAS from the RV CIRLANA research cruise. The dataset contains low-resolution Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) profiles from the European Shelf and the Iberian Abyssal Plain, gathered using a lowered rosette system while the vessel was stationary. Data collection involved firing water bottles on the up-cast for sample calibration.

Use Cases

• Calculate historical seawater salinity based on conductivity, temperature, and pressure using the UNESCO 1978/1983 formulations mentioned in the description.
• Analyze vertical water column profiles from the surface to near the seabed for the European Shelf region.
• Study the evolution of oceanographic sensor configurations by comparing this early, limited-parameter cruise with later, more instrumented surveys.

Strengths

• Data collection methodology is explicitly described, involving a lowered CTD rosette system and calibration water samples.
• Geographic coverage is specified, including the European Shelf and the Iberian Abyssal Plain.
• The core parameters for fundamental oceanographic analysis (Pressure, Temperature, Conductivity) are present.

Limitations

• Row count and file size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The exact sensor configuration and additional parameters like fluorometers varied by cruise and are not detailed for this specific dataset.

Provenance

Source

CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science), collected via the Government Digital Service.

Collection Method

Lowered CTD rosette system used while the research vessel was stationary on station.

Time Range

July 1983

Freshness

Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Geography

European Shelf and Iberian Abyssal Plain