Bold Horizon
M/V Bold Horizon

Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) sensors are in situ instruments that measure water depth, pressure, salinity, temperature, and density in the ocean. CTD sensors can be deployed on various water-based platforms, including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), buoys, gliders, and research vessels. When mounted on a vessel, CTD sensors are typically attached to a rosette and lowered to the seafloor to record water properties. These sensors typically sample at 30 Hz and can provide accurate measurements at specific water depths, tailored to the researcher's needs.

Generic-Atmospheric State (Gen-AtmsState) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform that measure atmospheric state parameters. These are typically in situ sensors that measure temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed and direction. Types of atmospheric state instruments include thermometers, hygrometers, barometers, and anemometers.

Generic-Radiometers refer to non-specific radiometers on a platform. These are typically passive microwave radiometers that measure brightness temperature. Radiometers can be used to retrieve temperature and water vapor profiles, soil moisture content, ocean salinity, precipitation and cloud properties, and vegetation.

The Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) is an in situ acoustic sensor that measures ocean currents. It uses the Doppler effect to detect sound waves, providing measurements of current speed and direction throughout the water column. It can be easily mounted on various water platforms, such as ships, buoys, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Additionally, it can be deployed on the seafloor to provide profile measurements of ocean currents.

Fluorometers are water-based sensors that measure fluorescence patterns. They provide measurements of chlorophyll-a fluorescence, optical backscatter, and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in seawater. They are typically used to assess chlorophyll concentrations and determine phytoplankton concentrations in the ocean. Fluorometers can be deployed on research vessels, buoys, autonomous underwater vehicles, and other water-based platforms.

A thermosalinograph (TSG) is an in situ, shipborne instrument that measures sea surface temperature and conductivity. TSGs are typically mounted near the ship’s seawater intake, where they collect continuous measurements. A TSG uses a conductivity cell and a thermistor cell to measure conductivity and temperature from underway vessels. These measurements can be used to derive salinity and other ocean parameters.

Salinometers are in situ instruments that measure the salinity of water. Most salinometers determine salinity by measuring the electrical conductivity of the water sample. They are portable and provide continuous, real-time, precise salinity measurements. Salinometers are used for oceanographic research, water quality management, and industrial processes.