Current and hydrographic properties sampled during three tidal cycles in December, 1991, were analysed. The highest values of the along channel velocity for the flood and ebb varied from 50 cm/s to -100 cm/s, respectively, and these values lead the high and low water occurrence with a time lag of 1.0-1.5 hours. The secondary circulation (cross channel component) predominates towards east with speeds in midwater depths up to 30 cm/s. Towards the west the secondary circulation was observed only in the upper layer with maxima speeds close to -10 cm/s. Salinity variability indicates little vertical stratification and during the flood its highest value (34.5-35.0%o) lags high waters at time intervals of 1.0-2.0 hours. However, during the ebb flow the low water leads the salinity minima (29.5-30.5%o) at time intervals between 2 and 3 hours. Although the studied region is part of a complex coastal plain estuary, the southern region of the Cananéia Sea was classified according to the Stratification-circulation Diagram, as partially mixed and weakly stratified (Type 2a). Its net motion reverses at 2.5 m depth and almost 100% of the upstream salt flux is due to turbulent diffusion.
Estuarine system; Classification; Hydrography; Circulation; Advection; Turbulent diffusion; Stratification- circulation Diagram