The role of the magellan strait on the southwest south atlantic shelf.

Abstract

We analyze historical hydrographic data together with recent high-resolution hydrographic and underwater glider observations collected in the Magellan Strait to determine the water mass characteristics and exchanges between the continental shelves of the southeast South Pacific and southwest South Atlantic around southern South America. The near-surface salinity distribution and water mass analyses indicate a strong interoceanic connectivity associated with diluted subantarctic waters of the Pacific Ocean through the Magellan Strait which in turn are further diluted largely by inflows from the Almirantazgo Fjord via the Whiteside Channel. The lowest salinity waters reach the Atlantic shelf via the Magellan Strait. This core of low salinity waters (S Highlights •Oceanic connectivity is associated with diluted subantarctic waters from the Pacific. •The Magellan Strait is the source of lowest salinity waters to the Atlantic. •The core of low salinity waters occupies the northern portion of the strait's Atlantic mouth. •Observations indicate a net Pacific to Atlantic transport through the Magellan Strait.