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

Data collected from CEFAS research vessel cruises, including the RV Corystes 9B/1998 cruise, using a lowered CTD rosette system. The data broadly cover the European Shelf and the Iberian Abyssal Plain, capturing profiles from the surface to near the seabed. The dataset is provided by the Government Digital Service via the eu_open_data platform.

Use Cases

• Calculate ocean salinity based on conductivity measurements using UNESCO 1978/1983 formulations.
• Analyze vertical water column structure based on high-resolution pressure (depth), temperature, and conductivity profiles.
• Study phytoplankton biomass distribution based on fluorometer data mentioned in the description.
• Investigate water clarity and particle load based on optical backscatter or transmissometer data mentioned in the description.
• Model photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) in the water column based on light sensor data.

Strengths

• Data is collected using a standardized lowered CTD rosette system, which suggests a consistent methodology for profile collection.
• The description indicates the dataset includes derived parameters like salinity, calculated from conductivity using established UNESCO formulations.
• Coverage includes the European Shelf and the Iberian Abyssal Plain, providing a specific geographic scope.

Limitations

• Row count and file size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for large-scale analysis.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics and the exact parameters per cruise must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

Government Digital Service (via CEFAS/DFR research cruises)

Collection Method

Collected from research vessels on station using a lowered CTD rosette system, with water samples taken for calibration.

Geography

European Shelf and Iberian Abyssal Plain