# ``reference_salinity``
## Properties
:dimensions: N_PROF, N_LEVELS
:dtype: float64
## Default Attributes
| Attribute | Value |
|-----|-----|
|``whp_name`` | ``SALTREF`` |
|``whp_unit`` | ``G/KG`` |
|``standard_name`` | ``sea_water_reference_salinity`` |
|``units`` | ``g/kg`` |
|``C_format`` | ``%9.4f`` |
|``C_format_source`` | ``database`` |
## Description
Salinity reported on the Reference-Composition Salinity Scale, reported in units of "absolute salinity" (g/kg). If a sea water sample has the Reference Composition (defined in Millero et al., 2008), then its Reference Salinity is the best available estimate of its Absolute Salinity. For general purposes, Reference Salinity is (35.16504 g kg-1)/35 times Practical Salinity. Reference: www.teos-10.org; Millero et al., 2008 doi: 10.1016/j.dsr.2007.10.001.