Benthonic Algae— SCAGEL 
517 
the surface during the period of maximum pre- 
cipitation, which may reduce salinity near the 
surface. 
The minor extent of fluctuations that occur 
in the salinity distribution in the upper 20 m. 
is indicated by data taken at a number of an- 
chor stations (Figs. 13—17). These fluctuations 
are greatest at or near the surface and, in cer- 
tain instances, as near the Klucksiwi River ( Fig. 
15), show the influence of fresh-water inflow 
of a more localized nature. 
A comparison of the te.mperatu.te -sail n ity 
characteristics of various parts of the Strait and 
the connecting bodies of water by means of T-S 
diagrams (Figs. 3, 4) indicates the discreteness 
of the water masses typical of Johnstone Strait, 
mouth of Knight Inlet, and Queen Charlotte 
Sound. The T-S diagrams for Queen Charlotte 
Strait indicate a characteristically intermediate 
condition between these extremes in properties 
of temperature and salinity for the greater part 
of the Strait. 
An analysis of surface temperature data over 
a 10-year period (Fig. 18) from Pine I. Light- 
house, which is near the entrance to Queen Char- 
lotte Strait, indicates a temperature maximum 
of about 12 °C and a minimum of about 5°C, 
with an annual mean of 8.6°C. Although this 
station, as already indicated, is not characteris- 
tic of the Strait itself in all respects, it prob- 
ably gives a reasonable approximation of the 
annual temperature fluctuations. Insufficient 
data are available from Pulteney Point on Mal- 
colm I. to analyze more precisely the seasonal 
MONTHS 
JFMAMJ J A S 0 N D 
Fig. 28. Monthly air temperatures at Alert Bay, B. C, for 1953. 
