<P> Aegean surface water circulates in a counter-clockwise gyre, with hypersaline Mediterranean water moving northward along the west coast of Turkey, before being displaced by less dense Black Sea outflow . The dense Mediterranean water sinks below the Black Sea inflow to a depth of 23--30 metres (75--98 ft), then flows through the Dardanelles Strait and into the Sea of Marmara at velocities of 5--15 cm / s . The Black Sea outflow moves westward along the northern Aegean Sea, then flows southwards along the east coast of Greece . </P> <P> The physical oceanography of the Aegean Sea is controlled mainly by the regional climate, the fresh water discharge from major rivers draining southeastern Europe, and the seasonal variations in the Black Sea surface water outflow through the Dardanelles Strait . </P> <P> Analysis of the Aegean during 1991 and 1992 revealed 3 distinct water masses: </P> <Ul> <Li> Aegean Sea Surface Water--40--50 metres (130--160 ft) thick veneer, with summer temperatures of 21--26 ° C and winter temperatures ranging from 10 ° C (50 ° F) in the north to 16 ° C (61 ° F) in the south . </Li> <Li> Aegean Sea Intermediate Water--Aegean Sea Intermediate Water extends from 40--50 m to 200--300 metres (660--980 ft) with temperatures ranging from 11--18 ° C . </Li> <Li> Aegean Sea Bottom Water--occurring at depths below 500--1000 m with a very uniform temperature (13--14 ° C) and salinity (3.91--3.92%). </Li> </Ul>

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