CTD sensor characteristics and their matching for salinitycalculations

The response characteristics of conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) sensors used for the derivation of ocean properties from profiling instruments are discussed. The influence of design and operating conditions on the impulse response is explored with examples drawn from commercially produced cells in common use. The speed dependence of both temperature and conductivity sensor response is discussed with reference to sensor matching to reduce salinity spiking. A brief discussion is included on data processing and filtering techniques