Bottom Temperatures on the Scotian Shelf

The temperature regime at any point on the bottom over the Scotian Shelf depends upon the geographic location and the depth relative to the structure of the water column. Seasonal variations are observed on any bottom sufficiently shallow to lie within the surface layer. For this reason some areas exhibit maxima in the late fall when the surface layer is deepening. Deeper areas are subjected to non-periodic variations which are related to such factors as slope water incursions and the westward protrusion of Labrador waters. The distribution and variations of temperature over these important fishing grounds are of considerable biological significance.