Water masses and cyclonic circulation in Bay of La Paz, Gulf of California, during June 1998

Abstract

The Bay of La Paz, a coastal and shallow basin of the Gulf of California (depth<420 m), exchanges mixed-layer waters with the Gulf of California predominantly through Boca Grande (Big Mouth), in the northeastern part of the bay. Equatorial Surface Water (ESW) flows from the gulf to the bay; once there, due to evaporation processes, this water increases its salinity above 35.00, therefore becoming Gulf of California Water (GCW) Mass. During June 1998, the baroclinic circulation in the bay was dominated by a cyclonic gyre. The hydrographic dome, related to this gyre, is depicted until approximately 150-m depth. However, the vertical mixing of water between the mixed-layer and the ones below practically does not occur because of the development of a sharp pycnocline. This fact and the isolation of the bottom of the bay by a bathymetric sill (approximately 250-m depth) at Boca Grande induce low oxygen content, particularly in the bottom-waters (O 2<0.1 ml/l). Chlorophyll values are higher and with larger vertical fluctuations within the Bay of La Paz than outside.