PUBLICATIONS - Special

J.M Pike and F.L. Beiboer

Report prepared by METOCEAN plc.

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The study revealed that the Wood (1949) and Wilson (1960) formulae are likely to produce erroneous results, particularly when used with modern formulations for the computation of salinity and depth; it is recommended that use of these algorithms be discontinued.

Several, more precise, algorithms were identified that command more general support within the oceanographic community (Chen & Millero (1977), Del Grosso (1974)). These algorithms have a pressure term; an appropriate formula for the calculation of pressure with varying depth, latitude, sea water temperature and salinity should be used.

Two shorter equations compare well with these (Medwin (1975), MacKenzie (1981)), and could be considered for use particularly in applications where rapid computations are required. These algorithms contain depth terms, and care should therefore be taken (where appropriate) to ensure use of an appropriate standard depth/pressure algorithm.

The currently recognised algorithm relating depth to pressure is stated and discussed.

All algorithms should be used only within the ranges of salinity, temperature and pressure over which they apply.

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