Float WMO_ID: 5901622

Float WMO_ID: 5901622




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=10450)
CTD SensorAPEX-SBE-41 (serial number=2924)
CTD Sampling ModeBurst Sampler
Controller BoardAPF 8
Additional Sensors/SoftwareNone
Park Depth1000 m
Profile Depth2000 m
Launch Date07-05-2007
Number of D-moded Profiles100
Calibration Date02-08-2010
Pressure DriftSurface Pressure Offset corrected
Salinity DriftTBTO but otherwise no salinity drift detected





















Section 2: Float Location

Float trajectory and location plot

This float was deployed in the G.A.B., Southern Ocean, to the south of Esperance, W.A., in a region bounded by 108 to 122 ºE and 33 to 38 ºS.


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

Surface temperatures generally varied between 13 and 21.5 ºC and surface salinities from 35.3 to 36.0.


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

The profiles are generally well distributed, with the exception of the first few profiles which show signs of TBTO fouling.


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

With the exception of the TBTO affected profiles, the profiles for this float look fine.


Section 6: Inversions

There were inversions in profiles; 4(at 60m depth),5,8(surface),39(surface),43(surface),110,113,117. None of these were significant and they were not flagged.


Section 7: Salt Hooks

Salthooks occurred in profiles; 2,4,10,12,14,16,18,20,39,40,41,42,43,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,60,68,69,74,76,78,80,83,86,88,90,91,93,95,98,100.


Section 8: Parameter Sections and Initial QC Notes

The float grounded on profiles; 21 to 38. A spike in profile 39 at 80 m was flagged as QC=4. All of profiles 27, 28, 29, 30, 31-36 were QC'd as bad (i.e QC=4) where the float grounded. The bottom of profiles 25, 26 and 44 were also QC'd as 4.


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: WJO/OW Results

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


WJO/OW plot

This float requires no correction.


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

The first couple of profiles are affected by TBTO. Float very close to climatology.


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 very close to nearby argo.


Section 12: Salinity Drift Assessment

This float required no salinity drift correction apart from a TBTO correction applied to the first two profiles.



Section 13: Float Summary

Final Check Plot

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.



Created 03-08-2010