Characteristics, spreading and mixing of the intermediate water mass and their seasonal variations in the eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

      About 2009 hydrographic stations were taken in the Eastern Mediterranean (1948-1972) and used to study the characteristics and the spreading of the Intermediate water mass which is identified by subsurface salinity maximum. In this analysis the core method was used. The mixing rations of the main components forming the Intermediate water mass, which are the Levantine and Adriatic water types in addition to the Atlantic one are determined using the triangle of mixing as a nomogram. 

      The distributions of the salinity in the core of the Intermediate water mass as well as of the mixing rations of the Levantine water type indicated the westward flow from Levantine to Ionian Sea. In the Ionian Sea both the northward flow towards the Adriatic different seasons. The asymmetry between the NE and the NW of the Ionian Sea as well presented by salinity and mixing ratios distributions, with dominance of ADWT in the NW and the dominance of the LWT in the NE. This asymmetry indicates the influence of the Coriolis force on the water mass movements.