Abstract
The spreading pattern and mesoscale structure of the Mediterranean water outflow in the eastern North Atlantic are studied on the basis of historical hydrographical records. The effect of bottom topography on the Mediterranean water distribution is revealed. It is shown that the Mediterranean water outflow is divided into two streams after leaving the Gulf of Cadiz. These are the northwestern and the southwestern ones; the former is more intensive and spreads in a more regular and continuous way. West of the Tejo (Tagus) Plateau, it splits into three branches; the most intense of them keeps continuity up to 14°W. The less intensive southwestern stream passes south of the Gettysburg Bank and splits into two branches immediately after the Gulf of Cadiz. From 11°W, this stream has a lenticular, intermittent character. West of 14°-15°W, all the Mediterranean water branches are represented mainly by isolated salty patches. As a result of historical data analysis in the 32°-44°N, 8°-22°W area, 30 Mediterranean water lenses were found; 12 of them have not been previously mentioned in publications. A table of main parameters of Mediterranean water lenses is presented which includes data of 108 observations from 1911 to 1993.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-15 |
| Number of pages | 0 |
| Journal | Oceanology |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 1997 |