Short-time scale coupling between termohaline and meteorological forcing in the Ria de Pontevedra

Two cruises were performed in May-June and October-November 1997 in the Ria de Pontevedra under strong downwelling conditions. Temperature and salinit y data were recorded in short sampling periods to describe the changes in t hermohaline property distribution in a short time scale. In order to obtain the residual fluxes in the Ria, a bi-dimensional non-stationary salt and t hermal-energy weight averaged box-model was applied. Outputs from this kine matic model were compared with Upwelling Index, river flow and density grad ient, resulting in a good multiple correlation, which proves the strong cou pling between thermohaline properties and meteorological variability. Ekman forcing affects the whole area but mainly controls the dynamics of outer z ones. The intensity of its effect on the circulation pattern within the Ria depends on the grade of stratification of the water bodies. River flow is more relevant in inner parts. According to estimated spatially averaged vel ocities, water residence time is lower than two weeks in outer parts of the Ria, and decreases toward the inner zones.