RV CIRLANA 10/1995: Low-Resolution CTD Data from the European Shelf

European Shelf and Iberian Abyssal Plain oceanographic data collected from CEFAS research cruises. The data were gathered using a lowered CTD rosette system while vessels were stationary, capturing profiles from the surface to near the seabed. Parameters likely include pressure, temperature, and conductivity, with additional sensors for fluorometry and light in later years.

Use Cases

• Calculate water salinity profiles based on conductivity, temperature, and pressure data.
• Analyze vertical ocean structure for research on water masses and mixing.
• Calibrate satellite ocean color data using in-situ fluorometer measurements.
• Study temporal changes in marine ecosystems using historical sensor data.

Strengths

• Data collection method is explicitly described as a lowered CTD rosette system, providing clean down-cast profiles.
• The description specifies coverage of the European Shelf and the Iberian Abyssal Plain.
• The data evolution is noted, with core parameters collected early and additional sensors like fluorometers added later.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Collected using a lowered CTD rosette system on stationary vessels, with water samples taken for calibration.

Time Range

Specific cruise in October 1995; data collection spans multiple years.

Freshness

Data from a 1995 cruise; historical dataset.

Geography

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