Taylor, Maureen H.

An evaluation resulting from preliminary testing of four stationary conductivity/temperature recorders is presented. The recorders are intended for use in moored time series operations. A number of local test deployments were made to evaluate instrument performance by comparing their data records andnoting changes in their operation overtime. Very few operational problems were encountered during the testing series. Salinity data quality was shown to be contingent upon the condition of the instrument's conductivity cell. Impurities in the conductivity cell caused lower salinity values in the time series but temperature data were unaffected. The implications of this finding remain in question since it is believed that the testing site is subjected to more sources of possible cell contamination than would be encountered at an offshore deployment location. Considerations for future offshore moored applications are identified. Instrument specifications and test deployment design are also discussed.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)