Hydroblack 91 : report of the CTD Intercalibration Workshop

Abstract

An Intercalibration Workshop was held at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (W.H.O.I.) from 1-10 December, 1991, for the CTD data acquired during HYDROBLACK '91. This intercalibration exercise was a prelude to an interdisciplinary HYDROBLACK '91 intercalibration to be held in Crimea, Ukraine, in February, 1992, incorporating the full suite of physical, biological, and chemical measurements acquired during the cruise. HYDROBLACK '91 acquired for the first time a complete hydrographic, biological, and chemical data set for the entire Black Sea, to 200 m water depth, with the participation of all Black Sea riparian countres as well as the U.S. Nearly 300 hydrographic stations were occupied to full water depth; biological and chemical measurements were made at 100 of these stations. This quasi-synoptic survey was accomplished using five ships during an interval of approximately three weeks. Results show some disparities between CTD's from the different regions, but the intercalibrated results show a consistent and high resolution detail of the dynamic topography and other physical characteristics of the entire Black Sea basin. The intercalibrated data set is now available within each country and from W.H.O.I., and will form the basis for studies on ocean physics as well as interdisciplinary issues such as oxygen depletion within the basin and hydrogen sulfide distribution. This effort provides an intercalibrated, spatially-dense baseline against which all future and past measurements can be compared. In spite of significant economic pressures arising from the changes in the eastern European countries, and the inadequate scientific exchange with the west during the past two decades, HYDROBLACK '91 is considered a success and a model for future international scientific and monitoring efforts thoughout the Black Sea. Similar efforts are anticipated twice-yearly in the framework of the new Cooperative Marine Science Program for the Black Sea.