Decennial variation of the Indian Ocean inflow to the Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

Meridional hydrographic sections along 3E, 8W and 25W have been used in order to estimate the Indian Ocean influx into the South Atlantic and its decennial variation. Two decennial variations have been estimated, one between 1995 and 2005 using the 3E and 8W sections and the other one between 2005 and 2013 using the 25W section. As result of our study we have concluded that the Indian Ocean influx in 1995 is wider than in 2005 and in 2013 is 15 Sv larger than in 2005. The satellite images have been used for counting the Agulhas Rings influx in order to estimate the amount of Indian Ocean water that they transport into the South Atlantic which, is in the range of 2-5,5 Sv per year. 5 Rings per year have been observed what agrees previous studies. In this study, it has been also observed that the Agulhas Rings sometimes do not follow the main Indian Ocean influx.