Water mass
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An oceanographic water mass is an identifiable body of water which has physical properties distinct from surrounding water. Properties include temperature, salinity, chemical - isotopic ratios, and other physical quantities. Common water masses in the World Ocean are: Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW), Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW), Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW), Arctic Intermediate Water (AIW), the Central Waters of various ocean basins, and various Surface Waters.
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