RV CIRLANA 09/1986 Low Resolution Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) Data

Conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) profiles collected from CEFAS research vessel cruises on the European Shelf and Iberian Abyssal Plain. Data were gathered using a lowered CTD rosette system while the vessel was stationary, with water samples taken for calibration on the up cast. The dataset likely contains core parameters like pressure, temperature, and conductivity, with salinity derivable using UNESCO formulations.

Use Cases

• Calculate seawater salinity based on conductivity data using UNESCO 1978/1983 formulations.
• Analyze vertical oceanographic profiles for temperature and pressure (depth) across the European Shelf.
• Calibrate sensor readings using water sample data collected from bottles fired at specific depths.
• Study temporal changes in marine environments by comparing early cruises with later ones that added sensors like fluorometers.

Strengths

• Data collection follows a standardized lowered CTD rosette system methodology for clean down-cast profiles.
• Description specifies the core parameters collected: Pressure (Depth), Temperature, and Conductivity.
• Later cruises expanded sensor suites to include instruments like fluorometers and optical backscatter sensors.

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 data format and parameters vary between cruises, as noted in the description.

Provenance

Source

CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science) or DFR research cruises.

Collection Method

Collected using a lowered CTD rosette system from research vessels on station.

Time Range

Includes data from at least September 1986; full temporal coverage is unspecified.

Freshness

Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Geography

Broadly covers the European Shelf with some data from the Iberian Abyssal Plain.