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Physical oceanography
The scientific study of the physical conditions and processes related to the motions and physical properties of ocean currents and waters.
Industry: Earth science
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Physical oceanography
North Atlantic Water (NAW)
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A water mass transported by the Continental Slope Current from the North Atlantic into the Nordic Seas. It has typical property values in the Rockall Channel region of the Greenland–Scotland Ridge of ...
Japan Sea Proper Water (JSPW)
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A water mass in the Japan Sea that comprises all the water below 200 m (and thus the overlying Japan Sea Middle Water). It is characterised by uniform temperature (1- 2° C) and salinity (34.1) which ...
Slope Water (SW)
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A water mass that forms between the Gulf Stream and the continental shelf in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. It is isolated by the Stream from contact with oceanic water masses in its depth range ...
Subantarctic Surface Water (SSW)
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A water mass found in the Southern Ocean between the Subtropical Front (STF) and the Subantarctic Front (SAF) and above the salinity minimum of the Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW). At the surface ...
Modified Atlantic Water (MAW)
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A water mass that originates as Atlantic Water (AW) entering the Mediterranean Sea via the Gibraltar Straits. It spreads via the Sicily Straits into the eastern Mediterranean as MAW in a layer ...
North Icelandic Winter Water (NIWW)
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A water mass identified and named by Stef´ansson (1968). It is homogenised in winter north of Iceland from a mixture of Modified North Atlantic Water (MNAW) from the North Icelandic Irminger Current ...
Polar Intermediate Water (PIW)
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A water mass found in the polar domain in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. It is identified as a distinct temperature minimum layer underneath the East Greenland Current and has salinities in the range ...
