Operational since 2001, the Centre for Oceanographic Calibration and Metrology (CTMO) provides the scientific and technical infrastructure necessary to carry out and guarantee high quality observations of the fundamental oceanographic variables, conductivity (salinity), temperature and pressure, and operates in the field of metrology in relation to marine measurements in general.
The main activities of the CTMO are summarised below:
- control and calibration of instrumentation: performance tests, operational assessments, comparisons between similar instruments;
- testing: evaluation of techniques and instrumentation, development of protocols, harmonisation of procedures, formulation of recommendations and Best Practice guidelines;
- metrological research and development: research and verification of reference material, ensuring traceability, uncertainty assessment.
The facility's activities are carried out by applying international guidelines and protocols to ensure compliance and compatibility with the regulatory standards that govern this type of activity worldwide.
The CTMO is the only facility of its kind in the country with expertise in oceanographic sensor calibration and metrological characterisation of marine measurements. In recent years, the Centre has established a working relationship with the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM), Italy's national metrology institution, aimed at increasing collaboration on topics of mutual interest in marine measurements.
Organisation
At the international level, the Centre is a member of the JERICO coastal observation network and its Calibration Committee. It is also associated with ECCSEL NatLab-Italy, one of the components of the European Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage Laboratory Infrastructure (ECCSEL).
As part of the recent PON Ipanema project, the CTMO implemented its laboratory instrumentation in order to test the functionality of additional instrumentation used at sea.