Geostrophic circulation of the Brazil-Falkland confluence

Abstract

The Brazil Current geostrophic volume transport, relative to 1400 m across 38°S, of 19 × 10 6 m 3 s −1 towards the south, represents an increase of approximately 12 × 10 6 m 3 s −1 over the transport across 19–24°S. The increase is less than that found for the Gulf Stream, but the 5% growth rate per 100 km is similar. This increase may be associated with a recirculation cell in the South Atlantic. Near 38°S, the Brazil Current encounters the northward flowing Falkland Current. At this confluence both currents separate from the continental margin, with the Brazil Current continuing poleward before looping back to the north, forming a large quasi-stationary extension of South Atlantic Central (thermocline) Water. Numerous warm core eddies are observed near this Faature. The extension stands 70 dyn cm above the axis of the cyclonic trough formed by the Falkland Current and its return to the south. The transport of the Falkland Current, relative to the 1400 m level (or sea floor is shallower) across 46°S, is 10 × 10 6 m 3 s −1 or about half of the Brazil Current transport.