Figure 47. Horizontal distribution of cr. in Bering and 

 Chukchi Seas, at a depth of 40 meters. 



South of Point Hope the isopicnals run approximately 

 parallel to the depth contours. The lower -density water is 

 found at all depths along the Alaskan coast; very low-density 

 water ( a t = 16.8) is found in Kotzebue Sound. In the northern 

 Chukchi Sea, regions of low density occur in the surface 

 layer to the west of the line of stations (away from the Alaskan 

 coast). This area of low surface density is related to melt 

 water of low salinity. At greater depths (25 and 40 meters) 

 in the northern Chukchi Sea, the isopicnals again decrease 

 toward the Alaskan coast. 



Vertical cross sections C, D, and E of <rt are shown in 

 figures 48, 49, and 50, respectively. The general charac- 

 teristics of the distribution of lighter water (warmer and 

 less saline) and the heavier water (cooler and more saline), 

 as discussed above in Temperature and Salinity Structure, 

 are further emphasized in these sections. They show, how- 

 ever, that the greatest variation of density with depth occurs 

 in the northern and eastern part of all sections. 



