Analysis of Central Equatorial Pacific Water Masses by Method of Principal Components ...

• Main Author: Tuxhorn, Ross
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Old Dominion University 1984
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25777/jrbc-6k22; https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/oeas_etds/298/

The distribution of Antarctic Intermediate Water at the extent of dispersion in the equatorial Pacific Ocean was investigated by means of multivariate analysis. Interrelationships among the upper intermediate water masses at this location are proposed. Oceanographic data contained in seven cruise legs measured during the 1979-80 Hawaii to Tahiti Shuttle Experiment formed the basis of this study. Six parameters -- temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, silicate and nitrate -- were used in the method of principal component analysis to classify water masses between the sea surface and 1000m. The derived water masses were compatible with previously described oceanographic features of the region. Validity of the classification was measured by Discriminant Analysis and was found to be significant. Two salinity minimum layers were determined. A deep layer (800-1000m) corresponded to core and upper AAIW, while the shallow layer was low salinity water from both the North and South Pacific. AAIW and ...