Profiling

A Profiling CTD rapidly measures water parameters as it travels through the water. These instruments generate a high-resolution dataset of a vertical column of water, whether they are lowered over the side of a ship or integrated with an autonomous vehicle or glider.
Common to all Sea-Bird Profiling CTDs:
• Purposeful designs built to perform under the unique dynamic conditions found on varying measurement platforms
• Pumped and ducted constant flow for matched temperature and conductivity response
• Measurements are made on the same sample of water with a predictable delay and predictable flow effects
• Aligning and coordinating measurements done with software or (for some models) automatically
Profiling CTDs can be utilized via traditional shipboard deployments, or they can be integrated with an autonomous vehicle like an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), glider, or an Argo float that drifts with the currents. CTDs are not one-size-fits-all instruments; the type of vehicle and characteristics of its use dictates the CTD design that will provide the best data. Because some of these CTDs are deployed for an extended period of time (up to 3 to 5 years on an Argo float), they are subject to fouling – the growth of marine organisms on and inside the sensors. Sea-Bird uses EPA-approved anti-foulant devices to keep the inside of the sensors clean, so that fouling will not affect the measurements.

The SBE 911plus CTD is the primary oceanographic research tool used by the world’s leading institutions, providing 24 samples/second with an SBE 9plus CTD Unit and SBE 11plus V2 Deck Unit. The 911plus system provides real-time data collection over 10,000 meters of cable. The 911plus supports numerous auxiliary sensors (dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, fluorescence, oil, PAR, nitrates, altimeter, etc.) with eight A/D channels.

The SBE 19plus V2 SeaCAT measures conductivity, temperature, and pressure at 4 scans/second and provides high accuracy, resolution, and reliability in an integrated package for a wide range of research, monitoring, and engineering applications. The 19plus V2 has fully integrated temperature, conductivity, and pressure sensors, and supports numerous auxiliary sensors (dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, fluorescence, oil, PAR, nitrates, altimeter, etc.) with six A/D channels and one RS-232 data channel.

The SBE 25plus Sealogger is an ideal research-quality CTD profiler for coastal, estuarine, and deep-water deployments. The battery-powered 25plus samples at 16 Hz and records data in memory, eliminating the need for a large vessel, electro-mechanical sea cable, and on-board computer, and can also transmit data in real-time.

The Sea-Bird SBE 41/41CP Argo CTD module was developed in response to the scientific need for highly stable and accurate temperature and salinity on profiling floats. The standard CTD for Argo floats, the SBE 41/41CP have helped provide an unprecedented amount of data since the creation of the Argo program. As the global distribution of profiling floats expands and more floats enter the water, Sea-Bird has built upon the capabilities of the 41/41CP. Today, float CTDs can house new and improved sensors with flexible integration options for various float platforms.

The SBE 61 Deep Argo CTD is a redesign of the SBE 41/41CP designed for deployments to 7000 m, with improved overall measurement quality and stability to meet the needs of deep ocean research. Each SBE 61 is chosen from an extended calibration history, ensuring stable electronics and minimal drift in the field. The hardware interface and many commands have been carried over to make integration into existing SBE 41/41CP-based products easier.