Water masses distribution offshore the Sabrina Coast (East Antarctica)

Abstract. Current glacier melt rates in West Antarctica substantially exceed those around the East Antarctic margin. The exception is Wilkes Land where, e.g., Totten Glacier, underwent significant retreat between 2000 and 2012, underlining its sensitivity to climate change. This process is strongly influenced by ocean dynamics, which in turn changes in accordance with the evolution of the ice caps. Here, we present oceanographic data (temperature, salinity, density, dissolved oxygen) collected for the first time offshore the Sabrina Coast (East Antarctica), from the continental shelf break to ca 3000 m depth during austral summer 2017. The main water masses are identified by analysing thermohaline properties: the Antarctic Surface Water with θ > −1. 5 °C and S   0 °C and S > 34.5 (σθ > 27.7 kg m−3), and Antarctic Bottom Water with −0.50  The spatial distribution of water masses offshore the Sabrina Coast also appears to be strongly linked with the complex morpho-bathymetry of the slope and rise area, supporting the hypothesis that downslope processes contribute to shaping the architecture of the distal portion of the continental margin.