516 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, VoL XV, October 1961 
MONTHS 
rent velocities involved vary considerably but 
at times may reach at least 80' cm/sec from near 
the surface to a depth of 20 m., and in deeper 
portions of the Strait, although generally much 
less, they may attain as much as 57 cm/sec at 
a depth of 125 m. 
An analysis of surface salinity data over a 
10-year period (Fig. 11) from Pine L Light- 
house, which is near the entrance to Queen 
Charlotte Strait, indicates a salinity maximum 
of about 33 %o and a minimum of about 30 %o, 
with an annual mean of 31.75 %o. Although 
this station is not characteristic of the Strait it- 
self, the data available probably give a reason- 
able approximation of the annual salinity fluc- 
tuations for the Strait. Insufficient data are avail- 
able from Pulteney Point on Malcolm I. re- 
analyze the seasonal fluctuations more precisely 
in the central region of the Strait, but for the 
period available (Fig. 12) a range of about 
28 %o to 32 %o with an annual mean of 21.50 %o 
Is indicated. 
Seasonal data indicate that near the surface 
the distribution of salinity throughout the year 
follows the same general pattern, decreasing to- 
ward the mainland and being higher along the 
Vancouver I. side of the Strait. At any one 
point, however, there is a general decrease in 
salinity in time from the maximum In April to 
a minimum in midsummer, when the maximum 
runoff from the mainland Inlets occurs. The 
winter salinity may be somewhat modified near 
