SURFACE CIRCULATION AND REPLACEMENT OF WATER IN MONTEREY BAY

Observations in Monterey Bay for 27 months have been used to describe net surface circulation and nutrient distributions. Surface water characteristics are slightly modified in the northern and southern bay compared to mid-bay. Local winds correlate well with upwelling episodes. Our data suggest upwelling occurs predominantly along the coast south of the bay, and the effects of recent upwelling are observed within the bay due to a general northerly flow. Internal tidal mixing promotes a net upward transport of cool, nutrient-rich water at the head of Monterey Submarine Canyon. A nearshore residence time of 6 days (2- to 12-day range) was determined by temperature, nutrients and sewage-derived ammonia (during spring and summer) and by freshwater replacement (during winter). These residence times agree with direct current meter observations. The predominantly northward flow through the bay suggested by the distributions agrees with current meter measurements, the alignment of the canyon axis and offshore geostrophic observations. © 1978.