Origins and variability of the Benguela Current

A subset of the Benguela Sources and Transports (BEST) 1992-1993 data is analyzed to study the magnitude and variability of the large scale transports in the area. The data consist of inverted echo sounder series and conductivity-temperature-depth stations. The mean 16 month transport values for the upper 1000 m indicate that of the 13-Sv northward transport within the Benguela Current, 50% is derived from the central Atlantic (which from geometry may be chiefly South Atlantic water), 25% comes from the Indian Ocean (which may be chiefly Agulhas water), and the remaining 25% may be a blend of Agulhas and tropical Atlantic water. A simple schematic of the transport pattern with a somewhat restricted corridor for Agulhas eddies translation is envisioned. To the west of the eddy corridor flows the South Atlantic source for the Benguela Current; to the east is the Agulhas (Indian Ocean) source. The corridor is breached by South Atlantic and Indian water as the transient eddy field stirs these water masses.