Further details of the ''warming'' of bottom water flowing through the
Vema Channel, first reported by Zenk and Hogg [1996], are given. Beca
use cross-channel gradients of temperature are large and the channel i
s narrow, careful analysis is required to determine whether or not the
bottom water temperature minimum was adequately sampled by a particul
ar station or cruise. During a period from 1972 to 1996, at least 14 v
isits with quality hydrographic measurements have been made to the reg
ion. Of these, 11 were judged successful, and their data indicate an a
brupt rise in potential temperature by 0.03 degrees C front -0.18 degr
ees C to -0.15 degrees C in the early 1990s that has remained until th
e latest observation in the spring of 1996. Although this observation
is consistent with the report of warming of Antarctic Bottom Water in
the Argentine Basin by Coles et al. [1996], their associated conclusio
n that this water mass has also freshened by 0.008 psu (on potential d
ensity surfaces) is in contradiction with our finding of no measurable
change.