On the Distinctness and Origin of the Slope Water off the Scotian Shelf and its Easterly Flow South of the Grand Banks

The Slope Water south of Nova Scotia lies as a distinct water mass between Coastal Water and the Gulf Stream. A characteristic temperature–salinity correlation exists. Although the T–S curve lies close to that for Central Atlantic Water, if a reasonable system of mixing is assumed, the composition is shown to be Atlantic Water diluted by the addition of approximately 20% of Coastal Water. The rate of production of Slope Water is estimated to be of the order of 2 × 10 7 m. 8 /sec. and the observed eastward flow carries this mixing product from the area of formation. A secondary current in the Gulf Stream system is thus generated by means other than simple bifurcation of the main stream. Such a current has been consistently observed.