2. Physical Properties 
a. Temperature 
Figure 4 shows the physical structure of the water column just seaward 
of the Antarctic continental shelf. The temperature section depicts the thin layer 
of slightly warmer Surface Water, the wider band of Winter Water with minimum 
temperatures, a narrow transition layer of rapid temperature increase just above the 
temperature maximum, and the broad expanse of Circumpolar Water that extends 
almost to the bottom. The transition layer separating Upper from Deep Water is found 
at quite uniform depths on all deep stations, as are the depths of maximum temperatures. 
Bottom configuration of the shelf, illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, suggests north- 
south orientation of trenches extending seaward from the Antarctic continent in this 
area. Limited by station depths, only Upper Water was identified, except at station 
24, where the transition layer was entered. If stations had been occupied between 
10, 16, and 21, Circumpolar Water may have been found to exist in these trenches. 
In these two profiles, the existence of a small cold water cell centered at 125 meters 
at station 11 (K-1.50°C) and a larger one about 30 miles farther north extending 
eastwardly at stations 16 and 21 (K-1.75°C) were noted. This larger cell was located 
at depths from 150 to 300 meters. From the circulation pattern of the dynamic charts, 
these cells may be identified as cross sections of water with a flow toward Kainan Bay 
from seaward . 
Temperature minima, as seen in the two north-south cross sections (Figs. 7 and 
8), slope toward bottom from the shelf edge to the coast. Over the shelf, the water 
generally has a negative thermal gradient from the surface to bottom. 
b. Salinity 
Salinity sections show Circumpolar Water at the stations north of the 
1,000-meter depth contour, with maximum salinities around 800 meters (Figs. 7 and 
8). Below this depth, only a slight decrease was noted to bottom. At the stations 
taken over the continental shelf, salinities increased from surface to bottom and 
reached values slightly higher than 34.50%, on some stations. Surface values at all 
stations were 34.00%, and higher, with values greater than 34.25%, observed at 
several stations. 
c. Sigma-t 
lsopycnals on the west-east profiles generally slope downward to the 
east, and on the north-south profiles generally slope downward to the north and east; 
the easternmost section (Fig. 8) shows a weak gradient. 
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