ICES Guidelines for CTD data

Abstract

CTD (conductivity, temperature and depth) instruments were introduced to the oceanography community in the late 1960's. Since then, the electronic measurement of conductivity, temperature and pressure provided by the CTD has become the backbone of hydrography measurements in the ocean. CTDs typically consist of an array of sensors that measure the frequency or voltage response that represents changes in an ocean parameter. Beyond the typical conductivity and temperature sensors, CTDs may also have attached sensors for light transmission, fluorescence, oxygen content, optical backscatter and turbidity. For details regarding the use of CTDs, see the attached training annex.