A water mass formed in a Mediterranean Sea. In the Atlantic Ocean the term refers to the water mass that enters from the Eurafrican Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar with a temperature of 13. 5°C and a salinity of 37. 8 psu and can be traced throughout the Atlantic as a salinity maximum of 36. 0–36. 2 psu near a depth of 1000 m and progressively deeper and fresher as the distance from the straits increases. See also Australasian Mediterranean Water, Persian Gulf Water, Red Sea Water.