The activities performed at the Oceanographic Calibration and Metrology Center (CTMO) of the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS)

Oceanographic data constitute the basic element for the elaboration of ecosystem and global climate models. in a historical period characterized by an ever-increasing ability to acquire oceanographic data in a more or less automated way, it is necessary to guarantee an excellent data quality. Acquiring the measurements with calibrated and controlled instruments is a fundamental step to guarantee the quality of the data. In this context, the Centre for Oceanographic Calibration and Metrology (CTMO), operational since 2001, provides the scientific and technical infrastructure necessary to carry out and guarantee high quality observations of the fundamental oceanographic variables (i.e., conductivity/salinity, temperature and others), and operates in the field of metrology in relation to marine measurements in general. The CTMO is the only facility of its kind in Italy with expertise in oceanographic sensor calibration and metrological characterisation of marine measurements, and one of the few at the European level. In the poster, I will briefly illustrate the activities performed by the CTMO, focusing on the calibration of temperature and conductivity sensors.