The water masses and circulation in the southeastern Mediterranean
Abstract
The present study depends on 205 oceanographic stations from four seasonal cruises which represent a major source of information from an area where data were hitherto scarce.
A layer of subsurface minimum salinity (50-75 m) appears along the Egyptian coast and is developed, under the influence of the Atlantic Ocean Surface current flowing eastward from Gibraltar. An alternative source is inferred from the present data, where the layer of subsurface minimum salinity in August can be traced to the surface, less saline layer of the preceeding spring.
Similarly an alternative source of the intermediate maximum salinity layer can be inferred from the present data. This layer appears as a tongue of high salinity between 150 and 300 m, with a tedency to become deeper less saline towards the west. It is generally accepted that this layer finds its source in the surface water of the northern part of the Levent Sea from where it sinks in winter and spreads towards the south and west. The present study shows evidences that the layer of intermediate maximum salinity is formed locally during winter and becomes better defined in summer and autumn.
At least two alternative or combined sources contribute to the formation of the subsurface minimum salinity layer as well as the intermediate maximum salinity layer.
This is a matter which requires further investigations in the processes a sources of formation of both layers.
