FORMATION AND DISCHARGE OF DEEP AND BOTTOM WATER IN THE NORTHWESTERN WEDDELL SEA

Deep and bottom water formation in the Weddell Sea is the major source of the bottom water of the world ocean. Measurements made in the nort hwestern Weddell Sea between 1989 and 1993 during the 'Weddell Gyre St udy' indicate that the outflow of young bottom water with the western boundary current of the Weddell Gyre is dominated by a rather fresh wa ter mass which obtains its thermohaline characteristics by mixing of d eep water with a flow from the shelf in front of the Larsen Ice Shelf. The more saline source water mass, which is necessary to maintain the thermohaline properties of the Weddell Sea Deep Water, is less promin ent in the bottom water outflow. The transport of bottom water with th e western boundary current of the Weddell Gyre ranges from 1 to 4 10(6 ) m(3)s(-1). The outflow is subject to a seasonal cycle with minimum t emperatures and maximum velocities in early austral winter.