Hydrographical framework around the CVFZ during July and November 2017

Abstract

During July and November 2017, the multidisciplinary cruises FLUXES I and FLUXES II were carried out in the Cape Verde Frontal Zone (CVFZ). This work describes the conditions and hydrographic structures present in both cruises and discusses the different behavior of the CFVZ in both periods, showing a high spatio-temporal variability. This thermohaline frontal zone, with fronts compensated in density, by the coexistence at similar depths of NACW and SACW, presents numerous mesoscale and submesoscale structures, and close to African coast interacts with the Cape Blanc filament. While in fluxes I the physical variables have basically been obtained with CTD, in Fluxes II have also been provided with SEASOAR and gliders. The availability of a greater number of physical instruments during the survey FLUXES II has permitted a more detailed description of physical conditions during FLUXES II, with spatial resolution of submesoescale level. This hydrographical description is the oceanographical framework for the biogeochemical parameter distribution during both cruises.