RV CORYSTES 1B/1994: High-Resolution Ocean CTD Profiles from the European Shelf

CEFAS research vessel RV CORYSTES collected this oceanographic data during the 1B/1994 cruise. The dataset contains high-resolution Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) profiles from the surface to near the seabed, primarily covering the European Shelf. Data collection used a lowered CTD rosette system with water samples taken for calibration.

Use Cases

• Calculate water salinity based on conductivity, temperature, and pressure using the UNESCO 1978/1983 formulations mentioned in the description.
• Analyze vertical oceanographic profiles for features like thermoclines and haloclines based on the high-resolution down-cast data.
• Calibrate sensor readings using the water bottle samples collected on the up-cast, as described in the methodology.
• Study temporal changes in shelf sea properties by comparing this 1994 cruise data with later surveys.

Strengths

• Data collection followed a standardized oceanographic methodology using a lowered CTD rosette system.
• Profiles are designed to be clean from the surface to near the seabed, as stated for the down-cast.
• The description specifies coverage of the European Shelf and some data from the Iberian Abyssal Plain.

Limitations

• The exact column names, data format, and row count are unknown, requiring inspection after download.
• The last update date is unknown, making it difficult to assess data freshness or versioning.
• Sensor configuration and available parameters varied between cruises, as noted, which may affect data consistency.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Collected using a lowered CTD rosette system while the vessel was stationary, with water bottle samples fired at specific depths for calibration.

Time Range

1994 (from the cruise identifier 1B/1994).

Freshness

Last updated date is unknown; data is from a specific 1994 research cruise.

Geography

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