Having formulated our hypothesis we now investigate the suitability of the available data for the purpose of the study.
The Argo float data set comprised all floats available for the Pacific Ocean between 52◦ S and 10◦ N on the Argo database
in June, 2005. The data were individually inspected for data errors and sensor drift.
Occasional erroneous data (data that fell clearly outside any physically reasonable salinity range) were eliminated while the remaining profile was retained.
Where an entire salinity profile fell outside any reasonable temperature-salinity (TS-) relationship the profile was eliminated while the remaining profiles of the float in question were retained.