Water mass

Properties include temperature, salinity, chemical - isotopic ratios, and other physical quantities which are conservative flow tracers.

Water mass is also identified by its non-conservative flow tracers such as silicate, nitrate, oxygen, and phosphate.

Water masses are generally distinguished not only by their respective tracers but also by their location in the Worlds' oceans.

The best method of classifying a water mass is through using a T-S diagram.

It can take many years to establish the standard deviations of the water mass and requires constant surveillance.