D-2 Inc. has collaborated with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) directly to integrate D-2 CTDs into three Ice Tethered Profiler (ITP) deployments, as part of the ITP program.
The ITP program is a significant initiative involving the deployment of sensors through Arctic ice to collect measurements from the Arctic Ocean hundreds of meters below the surface. This region is vital for understanding climate change, as it has historically lacked the scientific data needed to monitor and analyze ongoing changes.
Deployment & Data Collection
The latest D-2 CTD-equipped ITP deployments, designated T11, T14, and T15, are depicted in Figure 1. These sensors work in tandem with the ITP profilers to descend through the Arctic Ocean daily, delivering critical data on climate change from a previously inaccessible region.
Figure 1. Credit: WHOI
The ITP program is similar in purpose to the international Argo float program, which utilizes autonomous profiling floats to gather real-time ocean data from temperate regions.
Collaborating with researchers across North America, Europe, and Asia, the ITP initiative seeks to maintain a dispersed network of profiling systems and similar devices in the Arctic.
The analysis of this data is expected to enhance understanding of the Arctic Ocean’s role in and response to global climate change.
Real-Time Data Transmission
D-2 CTDs are currently operational on three Arctic ITP systems, providing live data accessible at any time. These sensors surface multiple times daily, transmitting collected data via satellite for immediate online access. This capability enables the ITP program to contribute to climate change research in near real-time.
Data Published by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
ITP TOP11 Data
The information above demonstrates that the D-2 CTD can now deliver accurate and consistent measurements of salinity (conductivity), along with temperature and pressure data in oceanic environments. This capability extends to the most extreme conditions, such as through holes in icebergs where the Ice Tethered Profilers are deployed.
ITP TOP14 Data
D-2 CTDs offer distinct advantages over other CTDs in the industry. Notably, they provide closed-field conductivity precision without requiring a pump. This design significantly reduces the CTD’s size and energy consumption compared to other CTDs used in similar deployments. As a result, it simplifies the process of lowering the ITP through the ice, decreases power usage, extends the onboard battery life, and ensures the most accurate data collection possible.
ITP TOP15 Data
Understanding climate change requires the use of CTDs from a range of manufacturers. This ensures that scientists receive unbiased data, as relying on equipment from a single provider could lead to skewed results. Competition among equipment producers drives improvements, leading to better accuracy and reliability in field measurements.
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs (OPP) provided primary funding for the ITP project.
Other project contributors 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 Application Facility
