The minimum temperature and salinity of (CIW)8 is observed from March to May, indicating that this water is formed during the winter months in the region. On the other hand, the

minimum temperature of (CIW)8 decreases slightly in June 1997 and 1998. The reason for this temperature decrease is thought to be new cold water, advected to the region by the Rim Current (Oğuz et al., 1992, Sur and Ilyin, 1997 and Oğuz and Beşiktepe, 1999). Because the temperatures of the layers above and below (CIW)8 are higher than that of the cold intermediate layer, there is no source of cooling; the temperature decrease must therefore be due to advection. The (CIW)8 thickness decreases and its depth increases from April to October due to atmospheric heating. However, this decrease in thickness is not a regular feature. In some months (CIW)8 is not observed at all. But later on it appears INK 128 nmr again, as in November 1997. This feature can be

explained this website by the existence of anticyclonic eddies in the region during the summer months (Sur & Ilyin 1997). The other effect is considered to be Danube-influenced water, which is advected by the Rim Current to the region. When the Rim Current is strong and close to the coast, Danubian water is observed in the exit of the Strait of Istanbul (Sur et al. 1994). Our observations show that (CIW)8 has a weak signature at stations K0 and K2 in June and July 1999, when Danubian water is plentiful. The behaviour of the Rim Current and the existence of anticyclonic eddies in the region also influence the amount of (CIW)8 cAMP in the exit region of the Strait of Istanbul annually and monthly. The salinity

of the minimum temperature depth may show the interaction of CIW with other water masses. A lower salinity indicates Danubian effects, whereas a higher salinity shows the effects of Mediterranean water. Although the upper and lower layer in the strait can easily change with meteorological conditions, seasonal variations of Mediterranean water in the exit of the strait show that the salinity of the lower layer at stations K2 and K0 increases during the autumn. Altıok (2001) reported that the mean salinity in the exit of the strait is 36 PSU (at station K0) and ranges between 31 and 38 PSU from an evaluation of monthly T-S data during the period 1996–2000. The maximum thickness and salinity of the Mediterranean water can be observed in the same season. On the other hand, due to atmospheric heating, the seasonal thermocline lies deeper during this season. The fact that the thickness of (CIW)8 at station K2 decreases while that of Mediterranean water increases suggests that (CIW)8 is influenced by the Mediterranean water. Thus we can say that the higher salinity at the minimum temperature depth indicates mixing with Mediterranean water (Figure 3). The factors mentioned above affect the temperature and thickness of (CIW)8 in the northern exit of the strait.