Variabilidad temporal de las masas de agua costeras en bahía San Jorge,Antofagasta, Chile 23°S (2008-2012)

Abstract

Temporal variability of hydrographic characteristics and coastal water masses are study at San Jorge Bay, northern Chile, with a CTD. The measurements were made along a transect formed by 8 stations maximum, during 8 times at specific days of the 2008-2012 period. Wind characteristics were analyzed for the sample months and 5 day period, including the dates of measurements. The hydrography shows the predominance of 3 modified water masses inside the bay: Subantarctic Surface Water (SASW), Subtropical Surface Water (STSW), and Equatorial Subsurface Water (ESSW). The percentage variability of SASW and STSW depends on the direction of the Chile Coastal Current, which is also modulated by the coastal upwelling favorable wind. This mechanism is responsible of ESSW ascent. This water mass can be introduce to the bay from the north and south sides as it upwells at Punta Angamos and Punta Coloso centers respectively, besides other sites. The dominance of ESSW in the bay’s lower layer indicates the entrance of the Subsurface Equatorial Current (SSEC) from the north side and its southern exit. The high percentage of this last water mass during austral winter could be explained by the vertical mixing generated by cooling of the surface layer.