Speed of Sound

Sound Velocity

Calculating sound velocity from measured CTD data is a reliable and efficient method.

The formula used in the RBR software is that derived by MacKenzie (1981).

C(D,S,T) = 1448.96+4.591T - 0.05304T² + 0.0002374T³+ 1.340(S-35)+ 0.01630 D+1.675E-07D²- 0.01025T(S-35)- 7.139E-13TD³

Where C(D,S,T) is the velocity in m/sec at depth D metres, salinity S psu and temperature T °C.