Hydrographic structure and circulation in the central area of the North Eastern Atlantic

On the basis of the hydrographic data observed within the Canary Basin in autumn 1985, temperature-salinity properties, distributions of water masses and barocltne flow field, as well as the volume transports in this area are described more detailly. The analyses indicate that the activity in the waters of the Canary Basin is mainly attributed to the interleaving and mixing between the originated water masses (e.g. Surface Water, North Atlantic Central Water, Mediterranean Water and Deep Water) and the modified water masses (Subpolar Mode Water, Labrador Sea Water and Antarctic Intermediate Water) from the outside of the study area and the variation of themselves. The east recirculation of the Subtropic Gyre in the North Atlantic consists of Azores Current and Canary Current.
Azores Current is formed with several flow branches around the Azores Island, while the main flow lies at 35°N south of the Azores Island. It begins to diverge near the 15°W. The return flow found off the Portugal coast may be its northern branch. The southern invasion of the Labrador Sea Water and the Subpolar Mode Water are prevented by Amres front which serves an obvious boundary separating the North Western Atlantic (Central) Water and the North Eastern Atlantlc (Central) Water.