THE HYDRODYNAMICS OF THE GULF OF CADIZ AND THE EXCHANGE OF WATER MASSES THROUGH THE GIBRALTAR STRAIT

Studies on the exchange of water masses through the Gibraltar Strait, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, are numerous, ma inly in recent years. However, there is a lack of works of synthesis a bout the mechanism, distribution and nature of the water masses etc., based on more recent data. On the other hand, the establishment of tem perature and salinity data for the waters partially covering the conti nental shelf near Cadiz, has demonstrated the presence, in this area, of North Atlantic Surface Water (NASW), to about 140 metres depth, wit h clear seasonal variations. At a deeper level, some North Atlantic Ce ntral Water (NACW) has been detected, but the presence of Mediterranea n Water (MW), which circulates below 500 metres, in the continental sl ope, has not been observed.