Circumpolar deep water

[1] It is characteristically warmer and saltier than the surrounding water masses, causing CDW to contribute to the melting of ice shelves in the Antarctic region.

UCDW originates in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and has lower oxygen levels and higher nutrients than LCDW.

TS diagrams refer to temperature and salinity profiles, which are one of the major ways water masses are distinguished from each other.

[1] CDW plays an important role in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) because it contributes to the melting of the base of ice shelves.

[4] When the CDW flows upward onto the continental shelf and travels through the deep canyons, it reaches the underside of the ice shelves.

In the photo there is North Atlantic Deep Water moving to the right towards the Antarctica land mass while Antarctic Bottom Water moves from the Antarctica land mass downwards towards the ocean floor and to the left. In the middle of these two water masses we see Circumpolar Deep Water being formed from the combination of these masses. The Circumpolar Deep Water moves towards the right toward the Antarctica land mass. There is additional surface water descriptions and arrows indicating their direction. — North Atlantic Deep Water and Antarctic Bottom Water blend to form Circumpolar Deep Water.