RV Corystes 9A/1998: High-Resolution Ocean CTD Profiles from the European Shelf

CEFAS research vessel data profiles from the surface to the sea bed, collected when the vessel was stationary. The data broadly cover the European Shelf and include the Iberian Abyssal Plain, with parameters like pressure, temperature, and conductivity. Salinity can be derived from conductivity using UNESCO formulations, and later cruises added sensors for fluorometry and light measurement.

Use Cases

• Calculate water salinity and density profiles based on conductivity, temperature, and pressure data.
• Model vertical mixing and water mass structure based on high-resolution depth profiles.
• Analyze phytoplankton biomass distribution based on fluorometer data mentioned for later cruises.
• Study light attenuation in the water column based on PAR (Photosynthetically Available Radiation) sensor data.

Strengths

• Data collection follows a standardized 'down cast' protocol intended to produce clean profiles.
• Includes calibration samples from water bottles fired on the 'up cast', which suggests data quality procedures.
• Sensor suite expanded over time to include parameters like fluorescence and light, indicating evolving data richness.

Limitations

• The exact parameters and data format vary between cruises, requiring careful inspection of individual files.
• Row count, file formats, and column-level documentation are unknown, limiting suitability assessment before download.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Collected using a lowered CTD rosette system with water sample bottles for calibration.

Time Range

Includes data from 1998, with subsequent years adding more sensors.

Freshness

Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Geography

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