A technique for fast conductivity-temperature-depth oceanographic surveys

Abstract

A method for making a fast oceanographic survey using a CTD profiler is described. The CTD is provided with a special case and is towed at maximum speed by the research ship. At each station the ship describes one or two smooth circles without slowing down, while the instrument sinks at a rate of up to 5 m/s (depending on the weight of the case). Sampling depth is determined by the length of the towing cable. An example of a fast survey of a micropolygon on the continental platform of the west coast of Mexico is provided. In 5 hours and 21 minutes, 27 vertical records were obtained up to a depth of 120 m, along transects totalling more than 52 km. The possibility of using the fast-survey method for determining the parameters of short internal gravitational waves is also discussed