Physical properties of southern Fiji waters

Abstract

CTD-O2 (conductivity, temperature, depth and oxygen) data collected in the southern part of Viti Levu during the cruises ('96, '97, '98, '99 & '03) of the Japanese fisheries research vessel, Koyo-maru were analyzed to identify the isothermal layers, thermocline depths, and their annual variations. Despite the difference in years and locations during the survey, seasonal thermoclines at 50-100 m depth, permanent thermoclines at 100-600 m depth and haloclines at 250-600 m depths were found. In conjunction with the temperature, salinity and depth analysis, water mass properties were also investigated, and T-S diagrams were used to identify the water mass movement and formation. The results indicate that the water mass extending from 200-600 m originated from West South Pacific Central Water and the water mass between 600-1100 m originated from Antarctic Intermediate Water.