2. Salinity 



Salinity values along this section through the Ross Sea show 

 a normal, gradual increase with depth except at station GL-6 where 

 a slight salinity maxim-um of 34.79 °/oo occurs at 200 meters. This 

 is probably associated with the core of the Antarctic Circumpolar Water 

 (Fig. 8). High bottom salinities (greater than 34.85 o/oo) occur in 

 the bottom depression at station GL-5, and also in one at Station GL-3 

 near the Ross Ice Shelf. These probably represent surface water wherein 

 salinity has been increased during the winter from freezing of sea ice 

 and consequent concentration of brine which has sunk to the bottom, 



3. Density 



The density structure indicated in Figiu^e 8 appears more 

 dependent on the salinity structure than on the minor effects of thermal 

 differences in the cold water of the section. The relatively high 

 bottom salinities and low temperatures accovmt for the formation 

 of water with a sigma-t well over 28.00. This flows north from the 

 Ross Sea and down the continental slope, and probably contributes to 

 the Antarctic Bottom Water, 



4. Currents 



Current observations were made from the USCGC NORTHWIND while 

 moored to the fast ice at the west side of Moubray Bay inside Cape 

 Hallett, near the mouth of the bay. An Ekman meter was used at a 

 depth of 30 feet, with a water depth of 80 feet. Observations were 

 made at hourly intervals for a period of 40 hours, except for brief 

 periods when ice cover or diving operations precluded the use of 

 over-the-side equipment; concurrent records were made of wind velocity 

 and direction, Altho\igh the limited amovmt of data and the complications 

 of ice movement limit the usability of the records, the currents, in 

 general, were found to vary between and 2.7 knots, flowing out of 

 the bay along the eastern side. Correlation with wind and the general 

 circulation of Moubray Bay was impossible to determine because of 

 sparsity of data and the extensive ice cover of the bay. 



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