Distribuição da temperatura, salinidade, oxigênio dissolvido e massas d'água na região entre 01°- 04°N e 40°- 42°W

Abstract

This paper aims at presenting the distribution patterns of some oceanographic conditions as a means of defining water masses in northeastern Brazil. The following results have been single out: 1) In the studied region, the following water masses have been identified: tropical, subtropical, and intermediate antarctic. 2) The tropical water mass occupies a very narrow area, of approximately 80 meters in breadth. 3) On the subtropical water mass the lowest values of oxygen content are registered, what can be an indication that this water mass has left the surface some time before. 4)The intermediate antarctic water mass can be found from a depth of 500 meters, it is 400 meter wide and it presents the lowest values for salinity. 5) The thermocline is located between 80-100 meters and 150 meters. 6) Between the depths of 100 and 600 meters, a slight upwelling of the upper layer of the intermediate antarctic water mass has been found out to occur, in a region to the northwest of the studied area, which could be brought about by uneveness of the ocean floor or by marine current.