A fouling protected conductivity sensor for long-term salinity measurements in the upper ocean

Attempts to make long-duration upper ocean salinity measurements have long been plagued by biological fouling. Fouling changes the physical dimensions of the conductivity cell and thus the cell constant. To address this problem a new internal field conductivity sensor has been incorporated into a rotating shutter mechanism with slow release antifoulants to protect against biological growth. Low-power electronics with self referencing for stability assure long term accuracy for both temperature and conductivity measurements from the new C/T sensor