Temperature and salinity increase in the eastern North Atlantic along the 24.5°N in the last ten years

The ocean section along the 24.5°N has been one of the most frequently sampled of the world's oceans. It has been sampled in 1957, 1981, 1992 and 1998. Previous works showed a progressive warming and salt increase of the thermocline and intermediate waters from around 800 m to 3000 m. The maximum warming rate was 0.009°C/yr at 1100 m. The eastern part of this section was sampled in 2002. The warming of the main thermocline has continued at a higher rate (0.042°/yr at 400 m) in the last 10 years. Salinity has also increased along the thermocline conserving the 1992 θS relationship. From 100 to 1000 db, the warming is mainly due to downward displacement of the isopycnals, though some cooling along isopycnals is also observed in the upper 350 db.