CTD

CTD probes are used to examine the entire water column, from the surface to the sea floor, for many different measurement parameters. CTD stands for conductivity, temperature and depth. These are the most basic parameters in marine research because they can be used to calculate other parameters such as salinity and sound velocity. In addition, a CTD probe in the form of a so-called rosette is usually extended to include additional sensors, for example for oxygen or chlorophyll determination. Water samplers for sampling precisely definable water depths are also used within a rosette. With this range of functionality and flexibility, the CTD is often a central cornerstone in any oceanographic investigation.

German research vessels use systems with sensors from Sea-Bird Scientific. These consist of an SBE9/11+ main unit, together with dual sensors for temperature (SBE3), conductivity (SBE4) and oxygen (SBE43). ECO-FLNTU and ECO-PAR sensors are also used to measure various biological parameters. However, the exact sensor configuration may vary from ship to ship.

Emil Michels from the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research in Warnemünde is the data steward responsible for the CTD data. He has a background in biochemistry and computer science. His responsibilities include the publication of processed and quality-controlled data and the (further) development of software for the standardised measurement, validation, processing, visualisation and publication of CTD data. In addition, he is the central contact person for all questions relating to CTD data.

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