High precision temperature and salinity profiles are some of the most commonly collected and important data in many ocean science investigations. This work will develop a capability to solve a long standing problem in collecting such data at sea. The response times of temperature sensors and conductivity sensors are significantly different, so data mismatches commonly occur when these sensors are simultaneously mounted on a CTD profiler. A new calibration capability will investigate the dynamic response of commonly used thermometers and conductivity sensors. Results will be used to improve present techniques for removing salinity errors arising from the mismatch in sensor time constants. The facility will be useful in testing probes prior to deployment and for developing new sensor systems.
