Physical oceanographic conditions to the northwest of the sub-Antarctic Island of South Georgia

Ocean physics is a key aspect of the operation of island ecosystems, yet th e hydrodynamics is sometimes poorly understood. A high-resolution oceanogra phic survey to the north of South Georgia identified two water masses. Thes e are South Georgia Shelf Water (SGSW) and Antarctic Zone Water (AZW). At t he surface, SGSW is both colder and fresher than AZW; at the near-surface t emperature minimum these differences are reversed. There are two causes: SG SW is close to the island and has an additional contribution to the heat an d salt balance from increased precipitation and island runoff, and second, AZW has advected from higher latitudes. Both of these mechanisms imply SGSW is retained around the island. Between these water masses is a variable wi dth frontal region that has a mixture of both water masses. In general term s, the mean current of the AZW is to the west. In the SGSW the general flow also appears to be to the west, but at reduced magnitude; there is evidenc e of a stronger westerly current close to the shore. In both water masses t here are easterly surface currents most likely driven by the prevailing win d. An approximation for the limit of SGSW is that it is constrained to wate r depths <500 m, A significant deviation is caused by an anticyclonic flow around a prominent bank that can be associated with significant, upwelling. Finally, we comment on the ecological significance of the system observed.