Analysis of the Main Physical Properties of Seawater Along the Coast of Angola

This study investigates the seasonal and latitudinal variability of the key physical properties of seawater along the Angolan coast, focusing on temperature, salinity, density, and dissolved oxygen. Vertical profile data from the World Ocean Database (2005–2020) were analyzed using Ocean Data View to examine stratification patterns and their relationship with regional circulation features, including the Angola–Benguela Front and coastal upwelling. The results reveal a pronounced south–north gradient, with colder, saltier, and denser surface waters in the southern sector during the cold season, indicative of intensified upwelling influence. The vertical structure is characterized by a surface mixed layer extending to approximately 20–30 m underlain by a sharp thermocline, halocline, and pycnocline between 25 m and 50 m. Dissolved oxygen profiles show the presence of an oxygen minimum layer below the thermocline, particularly pronounced in the central and southern regions, reflecting limited ventilation of subsurface waters. These findings highlight the combined role of stratification, regional circulation, and upwelling dynamics in shaping the physical structure of the Angolan coastal ocean and provide a baseline for future studies in a region that remains poorly documented.