Water masses in Thermaicos Gulf,north-western Aegean Sea

Physical oceanographic data were collected during September 1975 at stations in the shallow water (max. depth 45 m) embayments of Salonica Bay and Thermaicos Gulf, and comparisons are made with data collected during other seasons. The distribution of temperature and salinity in the water column indicated the following features: fresh surface water predominantly related to river discharge; an intermediate water mass, apparently formed by mixing between the fresh and open sea waters; a thermocline, and deep bottom water open sea characteristics. The summer distribution of density in the surface and bottom waters, and the seasonal variation in the pattern of surface salinity, suggested an anti-clockwise water circulation throughout the embayments.