D-2 Inc. has collaborated with the Woods Hole oceanographic Institution (WHOI) to incorporate D-2 CTDs into three Ice Tethered Profiler (ITP) deployments as part of the ITP initiative.
The ITP initiative is a vital scientific endeavor that deploys sensors through Arctic ice to collect measurements from the depths of the Arctic Ocean. This region is of grate scientific importance, historically lacking the complete data needed to monitor the effects of climate change.
Deployment and Data Acquisition
The latest ITP deployments featuring D-2 CTDs,designated T11,T14,and T15,are depicted in figure 1. These sensors work in tandem with ITP profilers, descending daily through the Arctic Ocean and providing critical climate change data from previously uncharted marine territories.
Figure 1. Credit: WHOI
The ITP program is conceptually similar to the global Argo float initiative, which employs autonomous profiling floats to gather real-time ocean data from temperate maritime areas.
By engaging researchers from North America,Europe,and Asia,the ITP initiative seeks to establish a widespread network of profiling systems and associated instruments in the Arctic.
The analysis of the resulting data is expected to considerably enhance our understanding of how the Arctic Ocean interacts with and responds to global climate changes.
Instantaneous Data Transmission
Currently, D-2 CTDs are operational across three Arctic ITP systems, producing real-time data that is instantly accessible. These sensors surface multiple times each day, transmitting collected information via satellite for immediate online access. This technological advancement enables the ITP program to contribute to climate change research with near-instantaneous data delivery.
Data Published by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
ITP TOP11 Data
The data presented above illustrates that the D-2 CTD delivers accurate and consistent measurements of salinity, temperature, and pressure in oceanic environments, even under extreme conditions such as deployment through iceberg openings via ice tethered Profilers.
ITP TOP14 Data
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ITP TOP15 Data
D-2 CTDs provide distinct advantages, offering closed-field conductivity accuracy without the need for a pump. This design minimizes the device’s size and energy consumption, facilitating ITP deployment through ice, reducing power requirements, extending battery life, and ensuring highly precise data collection.
Addressing climate change necessitates CTDs from various manufacturers. This strategy mitigates potential data bias that could result from relying on a single source of equipment. The competitive landscape among equipment manufacturers fosters technological innovations, improving measurement accuracy and reliability in scientific fieldwork.
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs (OPP) is the primary funding source for the ITP project.
Additional contributors to the project include:
- Institute of Ocean Sciences, fisheries and Oceans, Canada
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Naval Postgraduate School
- polar Science Center,Applied Physics Laboratory,University of Washington,North Pole Environmental Observatory
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine research,Germany
- European Union (DAMOCLES initiative: developing arctic Modeling and Observing Capabilities for long-Term Environmental Studies)
- Scottish Marine Institute
- International Arctic Research Center,Nansen and Amundsen Basins Observational Systems
- EUMETSAT ocean & Sea Ice Satellite Submission Facility
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