ORIGINS AND VARIABILITY OF THE BENGUELA CURRENT

A subset of the Benguela Sources and Transports (BEST) 1992-1993 data is analyzed to study the magnitude and variability of the large scale transports in the area. The data consist of inverted echo sounder seri es and conductivity-temperature-depth stations. The mean 16 month tran sport values for the upper 1000 m indicate that of the 13-Sv northward transport within the Benguela Current, 50% is derived from the centra l Atlantic (which from geometry may be chiefly South Atlantic water), 25% comes from the Indian Ocean (which may be chiefly Agulhas water), and the remaining 25% may be a blend of Agulhas and tropical Atlantic water. A simple schematic of the transport pattern with a somewhat res tricted corridor for Agulhas eddies translation is envisioned. To the west of the eddy corridor flows the South Atlantic source for the Beng uela Current; to the east is the Agulhas (Indian Ocean) source. The co rridor is breached by South Atlantic and Indian water as the transient eddy field stirs these water masses.