Staircase and inversion structures of thermocline in the north-west Tropical Atlantic

The peculiarities of the vertical fine thermohaline structure of waters in the north-west Tropical Atlantic are considered on the data of STD surveys recorded in winter-spring 1984. The variability of the characteristics of staircase and inversion elements of stratification with depth is analysed over the horizontal as well as related to the mesoscale and large-scale dynamics of waters. The coefficients of horizontal turbulent exchange are estimated within the framework of Joyce's hypothesis on quasi-compensation of vertical and turbulent horizontal transport. The effects of double diffusion are considered to dominate in vertical transport.UDK 551.465.15Translated by Mikhail M. Trufanov.