| The properties and circulation of water masses leaving and entering the Atlantic Ocean south of Africa are examined using data from a hydrographic and Lowered acoustic Doppler current profiler section from South Africa to the southern limit of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). At the upper levels, the ACC fronts are well determined using either classical water mass definitions or gradient-based criteria. While the locations of the Subantarctic Front (SAF), Polar Front (PF), and Southern ACC Front (SACCF) seem controlled by the neighbouring ridges, that of the Subtropical Front (STF) is much influenced in this region (similar to 10 degrees E) by northwestward propagating Agulhas rings. No large amount of Subantarctic Mode Water (SAMW) is observed,... |
