Fwd: [CF-metadata] units - PSU

From: Nan Galbraith <ngalbraith>
Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 10:01:43 -0400

We use PSU for salinity units for "internally distributed"
files, and "1" for CF or udunits-compatible files that are
going outside our group. PSU is easier for some people,
including me, to understand, and if it is a synomym for
'1', I don't see what the problem is. We use "1" only
because PSU hasn't been accepted in the udunits system,
but I do so reluctantly.

I'll ask around, though - I'd like to understand this better
and I'm trapped on a ship full of physical oceanographers from
several different institutions.

Cheers - Nan


> I have been told by a physical oceanographer that "PSU" is no longer
> accepted as a valid unit by most in physical oceanography circles. The
> argument being that, because salinity is measured as "grams per grams",
> many oceanographers prefer a "unitless" description: "35" rather than
> "35 PSU" or "35?".
>
> Is the physical oceanography community represented on this
> email list? If so, perhaps they could help clear up the matter of
> salinity units.
>

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