Contribuição ao estudo das correntes de superfície diante da costa leste brasileira (18º30'S - 20º00'S até 38º40'W) A contribution to the study on surface currents off the eastern Brazilian coast (18º30'S - 20º00'S to 38º40'W)

Abstract

This paper deals with the results of drift bottles released in front of the State of Espfrito Santo, off the east coast of Brazil (18º30'S to 20º00'S and 38º40'W to the coast) during the "Rio Doce Project", in July, 1972. Twenty six bottles (10,8%) were recovered out of 240; 52% of those bottles drifted to the south, 40% to the north and 8% directly to the coast. These recoveries may suggest the existence of two branches of the Brazil Current. The coastal one was traced from São Mateus to Ponta de Guriri, with a relatively high velocity of 1 knot. The other branch with a much lower velocity of 1/4 knot is indicated by the observed recoveries up to 27º50'S -48º34'W, 800 nm of their release stations south of the Abrolhos Islands. Hydrodynamic instabilities such as eddies and meanders seem responsible for the retardation of the velocity of the current at the southern part (area of Cabo São Tomé - Cabo Frio). Prevailing south and southeast winds cause the complex pattern of surface circulation in front of São Mateus and Rio Doce.