ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE VARIATIONS AND WATER MASS-EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE CONTINENTAL-SHELF AND THE BAY OF CADIZ

In this paper are analysed the low frequency fluctuations (less than 0 .72 cycles/day) of current velocity series in the mouth of the Bay of Cadiz. From an Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of the dat a two low frequency oscillation modes are found: a first mode associat ed to the continental shelf dynamics and a second one to the inner Bay dynamics. In addition, the second mode is highly correlated with atmo spheric pressure variations in the Bay which can be explained in terms of the quasi-static response of low frequency sea level in the inner Bay to atmospheric pressure variations.