Flow of Antarctic Bottom water from the Vema Channel

Abstract

We analyze measurements of bottom currents and thermohaline properties of water north of the Vema Channel with the goal to find pathway continuations of Antarctic Bottom Water flow from the Vema Channel into the Brazil Basin. The analysis is based on CTD/LADCP casts north of the Vema Channel. The flow in the deep Vema Channel consists of two branches. The deepest current flows along the bottom in the center of the channel and the other branch flows above the western wall of the channel. We found two smaller channels of the northern continuation of the deeper bottom flow. These flows become weak and almost disappear at a latitude of 25° 30′ S. The upper current flows at a depth of 4100–4200 m along the continental slope. We traced this current up to 24° S over a distance exceeding 250 km. This branch transports bottom water that eventually fills the deep basins of the North Atlantic.