OCEANOGRAPHY OF THE EASTERN GREAT BAHAMA BANK. PART I. TEMPERATURE-SALINITY DISTRIBUTION,
Abstract
From December 1962 through November 1963 sea surface temperature and salinity measurements were made in the shallow water on the eastern Great Bahama Bank. Surface temperature ranged from 19.5 to 30.0C throughout the sampling period, which represents a 4 to 5C greater variation than in the adjacent deep water channels for the same period. Bank water salinity reached a maximum of 42.00 o/oo in the area immediately west of Eleuthera Island and were as high as 38.00 o/oo in the area south of New Providence Island. Annual variation in salinity was slight; reaching an observed maximum range of 1.00 o/oo. Computations reveal that evaporation exceeds precipitation (E-P) by 39 cm over the eastern banks during the period studied. The high salinity of the bank water is thought to be the result of semirestricted interchange between the surface water of the deep channels (average salinity 36.50o/oo) and the shallow waters over the bank. A strong thermal gradient is present on the surface from deep to shallow water during 'Northers,' and can be related to the more rapid response of the shoal area to variations in atmospheric conditions than occurs in the adjacent deep channels. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0613615
Entities
People
- George F. Dick Jr.
- Roswell F. Busby
Organizations
- Naval Oceanographic Office