How to Determine the Salinity of Sea Water
- 1). Install the software programs for the CTD: insert the software CD into your computer's disk drive and double click "SeasoftV2_(version date).exe." Seasoft is the proprietary software used with the Seabird 16plusV2 CTD
- 2). Test the power and communications systems of the CTD profiler by removing the protective plug from the "Y" cable and connect the I/O cable to the serial port of the computer. Making this connection will raise the file "SeatermV2.exe." Double click "SeatermV2.exe." When Seaterm offers a choice of system configurations, double click "SBE 16plus V2." This will launch the main screen for Seaterm 232, which uses RS-232 protocols. If a Configuration Dialog Box appears, accept the configuration by clicking "OK." Seaterm will display "GetHD" to indicate proper operation, then the "Send Commands" window will offer a choice of commands.
Type "TS" and "Enter." This commands the CTD to "Take Sample." The readout on your computer should tell you the current temperature in degrees C, the conductivity the unit is sensing--usually 0.0000 on the surface--the atmospheric pressure in decibars (db) and the voltage for Channels 0 and 1 of the CTD. - 3). Remove the battery end cap by unscrewing it, and dry any water from the end cap and O-ring seal. Replace the batteries by unscrewing the three Phillips screws on the cover, removing the old batteries, replacing them with new batteries, and reinstalling the cover; push firmly on the cover while you replace the screws. Replace the battery end cap.
- 4). Select "Autonomous Sampling" then "Date/Time" from the Send Command menu and enter the date and time as "mmDDyyyyHHmmSS." Return to the Send Command menu and select "Data Upload" and "Upload Data From Flash Memory." Return to "General Setup" and send "InitLogging" to ensure the entire memory is available for data logging.
- 5). If other sensors are to be networked with the CTD, place a locking sleeve over each cable connection for other sensors, then make those connectons on the sensor end cap. Turn the locking sleeves clockwise until they lock. If no other instruments are to be networked with the CTD, install dummy plugs with locking sleeves on the sensor end cap.
- 6). Select "Autonomous Sampling" on the Send command menu, then send "Start Now." Disconnect the RS-232 I/O cable from the CTD. Deploy the CTD by the means chosen for the project, whether by lowering the CTD into the sea water independently or as part of the payload of an remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
- 7). When the sampling mission is complete, remove the protective plug from the "Y" cable of the CTD, connect the RS-232 I/O cable to the CTD and your computer and open the SeatermV2 software. When Seaterm offers a choice of system configurations, double click "SBE 16plus V2" launching the main screen for Seaterm 232. Accept the configuration by clicking "OK" and the "Send Commands" window will appear and offer a choice of commands. Press "Enter," type "Stop" and press "Enter" again.
Click "Upload Data." When the "Save As" box appears, type ".XML." Enter required information into the Upload Dialog, complete the Header Form and click "Start." The salinity information will be downloaded as an Excel spreadsheet.
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