Abstract:
This aim of CECIR cruises is to study the broad characteristics of the water masses off the coast of Portugal and to infer from them the geostrophiccirculation. Until now the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute (PHI) has only published the resultsofCECIR I. Due to bad weather conditions and unprecise results the PHI does not intend to publish the CECIR [I and III . During the CECIR IV (April 1977) is evident the presence of the North Atlantic Central water mass to depths in the order of 1000 meters. The surface temperature shows values between 13,74 and 15,30·C with very small gradiants. The Mediterranean water shows up between 1000 and 1200 meters with well defined salinity maximum (36 .20 %0). Geostrophic flow computed shows very small values (5-6 cm/seg), with fluxes aparently in opposition to the normal North-South Canary Current. This is in agreement with the eddy-like flow today visualized with Infra-Red imagery. Size and speed of these eddies is not yet well understood. Vertical distribution of nutrients and dissolved oxygen shows typical values for this North Atlantic Region , with some indication of coastal upwelling and ocean downwelling
