Abstract:
The collection of recent high quality hydrographic observations in the Red Sea region gives some details about the description of water masses during winter and summer seasons. In winter, a wide range in temperature (21-26°C) and salinity (38.5-40.6%o) is detected. Inside that range two water masses are present. The surface water originating from the Indian Ocean, is warm an d fresh, but undergoes strong cooling and concentration between the southern and the northern boundaries of the sea. On the contrary, the deep water is very homogeneous below the sill depth. In summer season three water masses are present in the southern part of the Red Sea. The surface wind driven current flows towards the SSE. The Indian Ocean inflow takes place below and the Red Sea deep water is much reduced. While in the northern Red Sea, two water masses are present. Also fine-scale volumetric census for this area had been carried out in both winter and summer seasons. The distribution of upper water column is highly diverse and does not contain any high volume classes. On the other hand the Red Sea water mass is dominant and it contributes about 70.07% and 78.61% during winter and summer season respectively.
Page(s):
81-93
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences, Volume: 7, Issue: 2, Year: 1998