Low-Resolution CTD Data from CEFAS Research Cruises on the European Shelf

Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) data collected by CEFAS from research vessel cruises on the European Shelf and Iberian Abyssal Plain. The data were gathered using a lowered CTD rosette system while the vessel was stationary, with water samples taken for calibration. The parameters collected likely include pressure, temperature, and conductivity, with salinity calculated from conductivity, and later cruises may include additional sensors like fluorometers.

Use Cases

• Calculate ocean salinity profiles based on conductivity and temperature data.
• Analyze vertical water column structure based on pressure (depth) and temperature profiles.
• Study phytoplankton distribution using fluorescence data mentioned as a later addition.
• Calibrate oceanographic models using in-situ CTD measurements.

Strengths

• Data collection follows a standardized method using a lowered CTD rosette system.
• Coverage includes the European Shelf and the Iberian Abyssal Plain.
• Calibration was performed using water samples from bottles fired at specific depths.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The exact sensor configuration and available parameters vary between cruises.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Collected using a lowered CTD rosette system while the research vessel was stationary.

Time Range

Data from the cruise RV CIROLANA in December 1994 is specified, but the overall archive likely spans multiple years.

Freshness

Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Geography

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