Float WMO_ID: 5901135

Float WMO_ID: 5901135




Table of Contents

  1. Float Information
  2. Float Location
  3. Surface Pressure
  4. Potential Temperature-Salinity Plot
  5. Temperature-Salinity Comparison with Nearby Floats
  6. Inversions
  7. Salt Hooks
  8. Parameter Sections and Initial QC Notes
  9. WJO/OW Results
  10. Anomaly Plot
  11. Comparison with Nearby Argo
  12. Salinity Drift Assessment
  13. Float Summary



Section 1: Float Information

The table below provides basic information about the float, including primary sensors, mission parameters and current status of profiles.


Institute CSIRO
Principal InvestigatorSusan Wijffels
Pressure SensorDruck (serial number=7567)
CTD SensorAPEX-SBE-41 (serial number=2131)
CTD Sampling ModeBurst Sampler
Controller BoardAPF 8
Additional Sensors/SoftwareNone
Park Depth1000 m
Profile Depth2000 m
Launch Date23-11-2005
Number of D-moded Profiles156
Calibration Date08-10-2010
Pressure DriftSurface Pressure Offset corrected
Salinity DriftSalinity drift detected, OW correction applied to the whole record





















Section 2: Float Location

Float trajectory and location plot

This float was located in the Southern Ocean in an area bounded by 128 to 142 ºE and 44 to 50 º S.


Section 3: Reported Surface Pressure

The surface pressure for this float is shown in the plot below.


Surface Pressure plot


Section 4: Potential Temperature-Salinity Plot

Potential Temperature-Salinity (a), Location (b, Max Temperature (c) and Sea Surface Salinity (d) plots located below.

Potential Temperature-Salinity, Location and Max Temperature and Sea Surface Salinity plots

The plot below shows the potential-temperature/salinity relationship for the deepest theta levels where the relationship between the two parameters should show the least variation.

Potential Temperature-Salinity deepest theta levels plot

Section 5: Temperature-Salinity Comparison with Nearby Floats

The two plots below show a). the location of this float (black circles) in relation to the position of other nearby argo floats (coloured circles) and b). The potential-temperature/salinity curve for this float (in black) compared to nearby argo floats (coloured).

Potential Temperature-Salinity nearby comparison plot

The potential-temperature/salinity relation for the deepest theta levels for this float (in black) and nearby argo floats (coloured) is displayed below.


Potential Temperature-Salinity nearby deep comparison plot

Section 6: Inversions

There were inversions in profiles; 2,7,42,43,58,158. None of these were significant and therefore were not flagged.


Section 7: Salt Hooks

Salt hooks were located in profiles; 4,6,11,13,15,17,19,23,24,26,28,30,32,34,36,37,40,42,44,45,46,48,49,51,52,53,54,57,59,62,66,69,74,76,77,79,81,86,88,94,96,98,100,102,104,110,112,114,118,119,121,122,124,125,128,129,131,132,135,137,143,145,147,149,151,153. These were flagged as QC 4 for both T & S.


Section 8: Parameter Sections and Initial QC Notes

A few near bottom values were flagged as QC4. Profiles 16, 17 and 18 have high salinity intrusions at depth over multiple values. These look real as the intrusions occur over three neighbouring profiles at similar depth. Profiles 116 and 117 have high salinity values at depth but are in a high salinity water mass across a front - so this is probably real.


Float trajectory overlayed on bathymetry, (left) and over climatological salinity (right)
Float trajectory and bathymetry plot Float trajectory and salinity plot

Potential temperature section with time, (left) surface to 2000m and (right) surface to 500m

Potential Temperature Plot - Full Depth Range Potential Temperature Plot - Surface to 500m

Salinity section with time, (left) surface to 2000m and (right) surface to 500m

Salinity Plot - Full Depth Range Salinity Plot - Surface to 500m

Potential density section with time, (left) surface to 2000m and (right) surface to 500m

Potential Density Plot - Full Depth Range Potential Density Plot - Surface to 500m

Section 9: OW Results

The plot below shows the analysis of salinity drift using the OW software.


The OW plot is not currently available

Section 10: Anomaly Plots

The four plots below show the salinity anomalies on theta surfaces compared to (a) the Gouretski and Kolterman climatology, (b) the CARS (CSIRO Atlas of Regional Seas)/WOA (World Ocean Atlas) climatology, (c) the anomalies within the float series itself, (i.e. the salinity anomaly of each profile from the mean profile average for the float and (d) the raw float salinity compared to the CARS and G&K climatological salinity on a deep theta surface.


Anomaly Plot

Float is salt offset for entire record.


Section 11: Comparison with Nearby Argo

The plots below show the raw float salinity data (solid blue line) compared to neighbouring argo floats (coloured symbols) on a deep potential temperature surface. The locality map shows the location of the profiles for this float and for neighbouring floats.


Nearby Argo Comparison Plot Nearby Argo Location Plot

Float is at the upper end of the nearby Argo spectrum, apply OW correction.


Section 12: Salinity Drift Assessment

Salinity drift correction, apply OW to the whole record.



Section 13: Float Summary

The plot below summarises the QC flags and salinity differences for the raw and adjusted salinity fields in the final delayed mode files submitted to the GDAC.

Final Check Plot

Created 08-10-2010