Zonal circulation in the Tropical Western South Pacific at 170°E
- Authors
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1969
- Source
- Horizon / Pleins textes
- Keywords
- Language
- English
- License
- Unknown
- External links
Abstract
Recent work made in the Tropical Western South Pacific along 170°E indicates that between 20°S and 5°S there are two permanent eastward countercurrents. One centered at about 9°S is the South Equatorial Countercurrent; it transports low salinity water which has also a minimum oxygen concentration and is nutrient rich. The other is centered near 17°30'S; its water has a low salinity but a high content in oxygen and low nutrient concentrations. The westward flow between them is composed of high salinity, highly oxygenated water. No seasonal variations of the intensity of the meridional extension, of the volume transport of these currents have been observed and it appears clearly that the South Equatorial Countercurrent is distinct from the current observed on the 125 cl/t surface. This zonal circulation can induce vertical displacements of water, the effect of which are seen on the nutrients vertical distribution. Between 9°S and 14°S and near 20°S there should be two zones where the productivity is more or less permanently higher than in the adjacent waters. (Résumé d'auteur)
