Spatial thermohaline variability, Water masses and geostrophic circulation in bahia de la paz, Gulf of California

CTD measurements were processed to analyze the thermohaline variability, presence of water masses and geostrophic circulation during a period of neutral ENSO. The abrupt stratification and the steep thermocline, halocline and pycnocline in May and the thermocline and pycnocline in July, were generated by the entry of water of the gulf, originating from coastal upwelling, due to southerly winds. In October, the salinity decrease with a minimum and a maximum subsurface, was caused by water intrusion from the gulf, as the bay is considered an evaporation basin without river discharge with evaporation of 176.16 mm and null precipitation in this month. The mixed layer and stratification decreased in February, was the result of homogenization and cooling water by winds from the north and the lowest solar radiation received. The water exchange with the gulf, on May, July and February, involved Gulf of California Water on the surface and Subtropical Subsurface Water in the deep; exceptionally in October, the Tropical Surface Water, replaced the Gulf of California Water. The bathymetric North Mouth’s sill prevented the flow incursion of Pacific Intermediate Water into the bay. In May, July and October, the geostrophic circulation in the bay, was dominated by a cyclonic eddy, which facilitated the exchange of water with the gulf, while in February the circulation was anticyclonic.