I have wanted to be an oceanographer ever since I was 12 years old. Even though I got a little off topic, I still have the chance to go on a ship from time to time. Today, I wanted to talk about the CTD rosette, which is an essential instrument on research ships. A whole suite of sensors can be attached on this rosette to measure physico-chemical properties of the ocean. The most famous one is the CTD sensor (Conductivity-Temperature-Depth) that measures both temperature and salinity profiles in the water column. Niskin bottles can also be added on the rosette and closed at different depths to collect water samples. I don’t know why but to me, the rosette embodies the work of an oceanographer and I can’t help but smile when I see one being deployed.
Picture Credit: Ellie Ward
Written by Caroline Jacques
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