What is a CTD?

The first day on a ship is always very exciting. So many new things to see, explore and learn. One of the main instruments that we will be using on the expedition is the CTD. CTD stands for Conductivity, Temperature and Depth and refers to some of the sensors that the CTD-Rosette System carries. At the core is a set of electronic sensors that measure in addition to conductivity, temperature and depth also dissolved oxygen. With optical methods we measure fluorescence and particles and with sound particles and velocity profiles. In addition to all the sensors we can catch up to 24 time 10l of water at any depth in the ocean between the surface and a maximum of 6000m depths.

After the theory on deck we learn how to operate the instrument control computer in the laboratory inside the vessel.

And finally we are ready to deploy the CTD for a first test station.