Atlas of the Patagonian Sea. Species and Spaces

The productivity of the ocean fronts concentrates a great variety of species, the Argentine anchovy (Engraulis anchoita) representsthe greatest biomass among bony fish.

Ocean Fronts and Sea Surface Temperature. Horizontal temperature gradient (ºC/km) in spring (October–December). The areas of highest gradient are shown in dark blue.

Data contributed by A. Piola (SHN-UBA-CONICET, Argentina). Synthesis of the Conservation Status of the Patagonian Sea and Areas of Influence (2008).

Ocean Fronts and Sea Surface Temperature. Horizontal temperature gradient (ºC/km) in summer (January-March). The areas of highest gradient are shown in dark blue.

Data contributed by A. Piola (SHN-UBA-CONICET, Argentina). Synthesis of the Conservation Status of the Patagonian Sea and Areas of Influence (2008).

Ocean Fronts and Sea Surface Temperature. Horizontal temperature gradient (ºC/km) in autumn (April–June). The areas of highest gradient are shown in dark blue.

Data contributed by A. Piola (SHN-UBA-CONICET, Argentina). Synthesis of the Conservation Status of the Patagonian Sea and Areas of Influence (2008).

Ocean Fronts and Sea Surface Temperature. Horizontal temperature gradient (ºC/km) in winter (July-September). The areas of highest gradient are shown in dark blue.

Data contributed by A. Piola (SHN-UBA-CONICET, Argentina). Synthesis of the Conservation Status of the Patagonian Sea and Areas of Influence (2008).


© Revista Puerto		Thermal fronts (Spring)
Thermal fronts (Summer)		Thermal fronts (Autumn)
Thermal Fronts (Winter)

Ocean Fronts and Temperature

Oceanic thermal fronts are seen as areas of abrupt changes (maximum gradients) in sea surface temperature.

In the Patagonian Sea the fronts parallel to the slope between 39º and 46ºS stand out. This is where the transition between waters of the continental shelf and of the Malvinas Current occurs. Fronts are also observed in coastal areas, especially to the east of the Gulfs of San Matías and San Jorge. During spring and summer, these fronts intensify and correspond with areas of high biological productivity.

In autumn and winter, the inner shelf fronts are less intense, and only the fronts associated with the slope, with the mid-shelf north of 42ºS, and with the Subtropical-sub-Antarctic transition zone in the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence are evident.