An
oceanographic 'water mass' is an identifiable body of
water which has physical properties distinct from surrounding water. Properties include
temperature,
salinity,
chemical -
isotopic ratios, and other physical quantities.
Common water masses in the world ocean are:
Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW),
North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW),
Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW),
Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW),
Subantarctic Mode Water (SAMW),
Arctic Intermediate Water (AIW), the
central waters of various
oceanic basins, and various
surface waters.
See also
★
Ocean current