A quasi-permanent transverse asymmetry in the thermohaline properties of the Ria de Pontevedra (northwestern Spain) was measured from October 1997 to October 1998 during 23 cruises. On average, the density increased form north to south. This asymmetry was maintained by salinity during the wet season, and by salinity and temperature during the dry season. The density difference between coasts (Dst ¼ stsouth stnorth) and the river discharge were positively correlated (correlation coefficient, approximately 0.6) throughout the year. The density difference was negatively correlated with the upwelling index during the wet season (correlation coefficient, approximately 0.45) and positively correlated during the dry season (correlation coefficient, approximately 0.55).

This work is a contribution to the Spanish LOICZ coordinate project METRIA supported by the CICYT under projects MAR96-1782 and REN2003-04106-C03.

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