The objective of this work is to characterize the spacial variability of the thermohaline surface properties in the Maranhão continental shelf and adjacent oceanic area, during two different periods, associated to the distinct characteristics of atmospheric and continental forcings - November/1997 and June/1999. This paper presents the results of simultaneous shipboard measurements collected during oceanographic cruises of the program "REVIZEE/SCORE-NO''. Numerical model outputs and satellite data complement the results of hydrographical observations. In the inner shelf (limited at isobath 50 m), the distributions of salinity and temperature are mainly affected by fresh water discharge (observed during June/1999). The distributions of SST in the adjacent oceanic region can be explained by the influence of the North Brazil Current (NBC). Model results and hydrographic observations indicate that the mixed layer depth in the oceanic region adjacent to the Maranhão continental shelf is influenced by seasonal variability of the NBC transport associated with the position and the intensification of the high salinity core of the NBC.
Maranhão continental shelf; hydrography; satellite data; numerical modelling; Program REVIZEE
