Establishment of CTD calibration system and uncertainty estimation

Abstract

The quality control of ocean observations data is becoming a major issue as real-time observational data and information services have increased recently. Therefore, it is necessary for oceanographic instruments to calibrate. In this paper, we first introduce the CTD calibration system and traceability. Next, CTD calibration procedures and estimation of uncertainty of measurement are described. The expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of the temperature, pressure and conductivity are 0.003°C, 6.0 × 10-5 and 0.006 mS/cm respectively. Finally, the excellence of CTD calibration and its measurement capability has been proven by comparing the inter-calibration result of KIOST and Sea-Bird Electronics (SBE). CTD calibration residuals are less than ±0.0001°C, ±0.001 MPa, ±0.0001 S/m for SBE 3plus temperature sensor, SBE 19plus pressure sensor and SBE 4C conductivity sensor respectively.