RV Corystes 1X/2004 High Resolution CTD Data from the European Shelf

High-resolution Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) profiles collected from the CEFAS research vessel RV Corystes on station. Data broadly covers the European Shelf and the Iberian Abyssal Plain, with profiles taken from the surface to near the seabed. The dataset includes core parameters like pressure, temperature, and conductivity, with later cruises adding sensors for fluorometry and optical measurements.

Use Cases

• Calculate water salinity profiles based on conductivity data using UNESCO formulations.
• Analyze vertical ocean structure and water mass properties based on high-resolution CTD profiles.
• Calibrate satellite ocean color data using in-situ fluorometer and PAR sensor measurements.
• Study temporal changes in shelf sea physics based on data collected across multiple research cruises.

Strengths

• Data collection follows a standardized 'down cast' protocol intended to provide clean profiles.
• Coverage includes the broad European Shelf and extends to the deep Iberian Abyssal Plain.
• Sensor suite expanded over time to include fluorometers and optical sensors for biological and physical studies.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics and exact parameters must be inferred after download.
• Row count and file size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for large-scale ML tasks.
• Data format and sensor configuration vary between cruises, requiring careful integration.

Provenance

Source

Government Digital Service, originating from CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science) research cruises.

Collection Method

Collected using a lowered CTD rosette system with water samples taken for calibration.

Time Range

Specific time range is unknown, but data includes early years with limited parameters and subsequent years with more sensors.

Freshness

Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Geography

European Shelf and the Iberian Abyssal Plain.