RV CORYSTES 5B/1995: High-Resolution Ocean CTD Profiles from the European Shelf

CEFAS research cruises collected this Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) data from the RV CORYSTES 5B/1995 and other vessels. The data broadly covers the European Shelf and includes profiles from the surface to near the sea bed, with parameters like pressure, temperature, and conductivity. In later years, additional sensors such as fluorometers and transmissometers were added, though the exact configuration varies by cruise.

Use Cases

• Calculate ocean salinity profiles based on conductivity and temperature data.
• Study vertical water column structure and mixing based on high-resolution CTD profiles.
• Calibrate satellite-derived ocean color data using in-situ fluorometer measurements.
• Analyze water clarity or sediment transport using optical backscatter or transmissometer data.

Strengths

• Data collection follows a standardized lowered CTD rosette system for stationary vessel profiles.
• Description specifies the use of water bottle samples for calibration, which can enhance data accuracy.
• Coverage includes the European Shelf and extends to the Iberian Abyssal Plain.

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 sensor configuration and parameters collected vary between cruises.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

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

Time Range

1995 (from the cruise identifier), with data from subsequent years mentioned.

Freshness

Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Geography

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