Thermochains of the Southern Branch, Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences: Design, Methods, and Results of Metrological Investigations of Sensors

Abstract

Thermochains for Black Sea hydrophysical studies are described, and the features of their displacement at the moored buoy station with subsurface buoyancy are considered. A technique for calibrating the temperature sensors is described and their stability is estimated by comparing the obtained calibration coefficients with the values established in previous calibrations. The characteristics of the temperature sensors, including the time constant are specified, as well as their reading error with respect to the reference thermometer. The performed metrological studies prove that the temperature sensors used in the thermochains work rather stably and make measurements with an accuracy of ± 0.01 °C for several months of operation in marine conditions. This allows to determine adequately the temperature at various horizons in the water environment of the shelf-slope zone of the Black Sea and to study not only its short-period, but also long-term variability.