Distribution of Banda Intermediate water in the Indian Ocean

Abstract

Banda Intermediate water has been identified as a salinity minimum (salinity 34.58-34.70‰) on the 27.40 σ_t surface, separated from Antarctic Intermediate to the south by an oxygen minimum of Red Sea origin. Banda water of these characteristics has been found as far west as Madagascar within a 0-20ºS. zone of the Indian Ocean. Along110ºE. Banda water was in maximum concentration at about 10º s. in August- December 1962. At this latitude and time of the year relatively strong (7-11 cm per sec) geostrophic currents to the west were found. Between January and July 1964 little or no net westward movement along 110º E, occurred. A strong (22 cm per sec) easterly flow of Red Sea water south of the Chagos Is, seems to retard the westward movement of Banda water and to divert its flow to the south.