The distribution of dissolved silica in the deep western North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

The distribution of dissolved silica in the deep western North Atlantic Ocean is presented. The potential temperature-dissolved silica relationship is compared with the potential temperature salinity relationship in the North Atlantic Deep Water. Geographical variations in the potential temperature- dissolved silica relationship are discussed with particular emphasis on the low silica signal of the Western Boundary Undercurrent (WBUC). The WBUC is shown to have a significant influence on the potential temperature-dissolved silica relationship from the tail of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland to Cape Hatteras. It is suggested that a region of enhanced mixing is present west of 65°W that is responsible for the observed changes in the dissolved silica distribution.