Details - Salinity variations in sea water in the vicinity of Bimini, Bahamas, British West Indies

Salinity variations in sea water in the vicinity of Bimini, Bahamas, British West Indies

Title

Salinity variations in sea water in the vicinity of Bimini, Bahamas, British West Indies

Related Titles

Series: American Museum novitates, no. 1822

Series: Lamont Geological Observatory contribution, no. 225

By

Turekian, Karl K.

Newell, Norman D., 1909-2005

Type

Book

Material

Published material

Publication info

New York, N.Y, American Museum of Natural History, [1957]

Notes

Title from caption.

"During the late spring and early summer of 1955 a series of geologic and geochemical investigations was initiated in the vicinity of Bimini in the western Bahamas under the leadership of N.D. Newell."

"March 29, 1957."

"The salinity of the Gulf Stream in Florida Straits just west of the Bahama Bank is 35.9 parts per thousand. The salinity of the bank proper is probably around 37.7 parts per thousand, although it probably varies considerably. 2. A gradient exists between the Florida Straits and the bank which increases in salinity towards the bank generally but with minor fluctuation at the marginal platform due to varying rainfall. 3. Bimini lagoon is host to three distinct water masses: (1) an indigenous mass that moves in and out of North Sound with the tides; (2) a mass entering from the Florida Straits through Entrance Point; and (3) a mass entering from the bank through the waterways of East Bimini and the inlet between East and South Bimini. 4. The rate of mixing of these water masses is slow. 5. The indigenous water of Bimini lagoon varies considerably in salinity (from 31 to 45%), depending on the relative amounts of evaporation and precipitation. 6. It is suggested that the above variations in salinity may cause differing ecological conditions in a relatively small area that supplement the effects of bottom environment"--P. 12.