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Agulhas Current
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==Biological properties== [[File:agulhas chla.png|thumb|Mean chlorophyll-a concentration map of the Agulhas Current for 2009. Note the high productivity water in the Agulhas Retroflection.]] ===Primary production=== The Agulhas acts as an oceanic [[convergence zone]]. Due to [[continuity equation|mass continuity]] this drives surface waters down, resulting in the [[upwelling]] of cold, nutrient rich water south of the current. Additionally, the convergence tends to increase the concentration of plankton in and around the Agulhas. Both of these factors result in the area being one of enhanced [[primary production|primary productivity]] as compared to the surrounding waters. This is especially notable in the Agulhas Retroflection waters, where chlorophyll-a concentrations tend to be significantly higher than the surrounding South Indian Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean waters.<ref name="Mann">{{Harvnb|Mann|Lazier|2006}}</ref> ===Impact of rings=== [[Warm core ring]]s are known to have lower primary productivity than surrounding cold waters. Agulhas Rings are no exception, and have been observed to carry waters with low [[Chlorophyll a|chlorophyll-a]] concentration water into the [[South Atlantic]]. The size of [[phytoplankton]] in Agulhas Rings tends to be smaller than in the surrounding water (around 20 ΞΌm in diameter).<ref name="Mann" /> Agulhas Rings have also been observed as removing larval and juvenile fish from the continental shelf. This removal of young fish can result in a reduced [[anchovy]] catch in the [[Benguela Current|Benguela]] system if a ring passes through the fishery.
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