Is the exchange through the Strait of Gibraltar maximal or submaximal?

Abstract

The Mediterranean Sea and Strait of Gibraltar can take either of two possible states. In the first, the Mediterranean is overmixed, with minimum salinity difference between it and the Atlantic and maximal exchange through the Strait. In the second, the Mediterranean is not overmixed, the salinity difference is greater than for the overmixed case and the exchange is submaximal. Interannual and longer term variability in air-sea interaction over the whole Mediterranean will be much more readily detectable at the Strait of Gibraltar if the exchange there is submaximal than if it is maximal, so it is important to establish the present state of the exchange. -from Authors