DISCUSSION OF PROFILES 1-14. 



By Lieut. (Junior Grade) Edward H. Smith, Oceanographic Observer. 



PROFILE NO. 1. STATIONS 167-170 AND 178. 



This section runs from Station "C" (see chart "A") westward 

 to 57° longitude. It was occupied February 13-15, except station 

 178, which was taken March 16. Unfortunately, it was found impos- 

 sible to occupy station 178, February 13-15, owing to a gale which 

 had sprung up. A surface dip, however, registered 8.0° C, which 

 agrees closely with the surface temperature found at the same place 

 March 10. Furthermore, the surface temperature charts for both 

 periods, Fel)ruary and March, indicate the presence of warm water 

 at this place. Therefore, noting the presence of a body of warm 

 water and its effect u])on the profile in o;eneral, we are justified in 

 including station 178, although it should be borne in mind the 

 observation was made nearly a month subsequent. 



Salinity. — The characteristic feature of the profile is the column of 

 >35 7oo salinity water which intruded northward at station 178, 

 separating slope water on either side. Over the Grand Banks fresher 

 water, of 32.57 7oo salinity, was found; inshore on the banks still 

 fresher water was noted at station 171. Since the Labrador Current 

 is Salter than 32.57 7oo '^i the vicinity of the Tail of the Grand Banks, 

 this indicated a dilution by coastal water from the north and west. 



Temperature. — We find that the isotherms are also characterized 

 by the body of warm water at station 178. Cold water, with tem- 

 perature between 1.9° C. and 1.4° C, extended uniformly over the 

 entire surface, except at station 178. Temperature is a better guide 

 than salinity, at this time of year, in determining the identity of the 

 different kinds of water. It will be noticed that the minimums at 

 each of the stations are in every case at the surface and, with the 

 exception of station 168, are not below 1.7° C. This has not the 

 low temperature characteristic of polar water; in fact it is no colder 

 than may be expected as the general winter temperature for the 

 latitude south of Newfoundland. 



Summing up, we can state that on February 15 there was a body 

 of warm salt water extending nortliward on the surface to 43° 10' N., 

 53° 00' W. The profiles of both salinity and temperature forbid the 

 presence of any Labrador Current in tliis vicinity during the period. 



PROFILE NO. 2. STATIONS 170, 174, 175. 



This section runs from Station "C" (see chart ''A") to the north- 

 eastward diagonally across the east slope of the Grand Banks into 

 deep water. It was occupied February 16-21. The stations are not 

 as numerous as might be wished, but tlie value of the profile lies in 

 showing certain general conditions. 



Salinity. — Proceeding eastward from the bank, we come to a 

 sudden change from relatively fresh to salty water. Atlantic water 

 of 34.87 7oo was found in a surface layer 000 meters thick at station 

 174. Slope water was found at station 175 and bank water at 

 station 170. 



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