From: Eric Kingsley [EKingsley@mbayaq.org]
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 2:09 PM
To: Myers, Nik
Subject: Converting conductivity measurements to salinity

Hi Nik,

 

Checking a reference here in the lab (Millero, Chemical Oceanography 2nd Edition, 1996, pg 71-72) the equations you want to use to do the conversion from conductivity to salinity are actually found in the Practical Salinity Scale of 1978.  Millero does a fairly good job explaining the calculations and I’m sure somebody out there at MBARI has a copy of the book if you are interested.  You can also see a description online here:  http://www.salinometry.com/content/view/18/31/.

 

As we discussed years ago I built my own spreadsheet based on the formulas in PSS 1978.  I’ve attached a copy of that spreadsheet for you.  Cells B4 and B5 are user adjustable.  Your resultant calculated salinity shows up in Cell B7.  Please keep in mind this spreadsheet assumes you are at atmospheric pressure and since it was built from the PSS 1978 calculations it is only valid for salinities between 2 PSU and 42 PSU. 

 

If you have any questions or run into any problems just let me know.

 

Regards,

Eric

 

Eric Kingsley

Water Quality Specialist

ekingsley@mbayaq.org

Phone: 831-644-7514

Fax: 831-644-7501

 

Applied Research Department

Monterey Bay Aquarium

886 Cannery Row

Monterey, CA 93940-1085

 

Visit our totally re-imagined Splash Zone -- now open!  Learn more at: http://www.mbayaq.org/