RV DISCOVERY 200/1993: Low Resolution CTD Profiles from the South Indian Ocean

RV DISCOVERY 200/1993 data archive contains Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) profiles collected by CEFAS or DFR research vessels in the South Indian Ocean. Data were collected using a lowered CTD rosette system while the vessel was stationary, with profiles taken from the surface to near the seabed. The dataset likely contains core parameters like pressure, temperature, and conductivity, with salinity derivable using UNESCO formulations, and may include additional sensors like fluorometers in later years.

Use Cases

• Calculate ocean salinity profiles based on conductivity, temperature, and pressure data.
• Analyze vertical water column structure based on CTD profile data from surface to seabed.
• Calibrate sensor readings using water sample data collected from bottles fired on the up cast.
• Study temporal changes in marine parameters where data from multiple cruises are available.

Strengths

• Data collection follows a standardized oceanographic method using a lowered CTD rosette system.
• Core parameters allow for the calculation of salinity using established UNESCO 1978/1983 formulations.
• Profiles are designed to be clean from the surface to near the seabed on the down cast.

Limitations

• Row count and file size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics and exact sensor configuration must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

CEFAS (or DFR) research cruises, aggregated by the Government Digital Service on eu_open_data.

Collection Method

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

Time Range

Specific years are not stated; data includes early years with limited parameters and subsequent years with more sensors.

Freshness

Last updated date is unknown.

Geography

South Indian Ocean.