"Shelf waters" refers to the shallow areas of the ocean that are close to the coastline. These areas are like a shelf because they are relatively flat and extend out from the land, and the water is not very deep. Full definition
White sharks of all ages and sizes are present in continental shelf waters year - round, but their distribution varies by season. (sciencedaily.com)
Temperature and salinity of shelf waters fluctuate seasonally (from 10 to 29 °C and from 33.0 to 36.5 psu), whereas warm and salty surface Gulf Stream waters are much less variable. (journals.plos.org)
This project will use an observational program to simultaneously identify the mechanisms responsible for water mass modification within the Terra Nova Bay polynya and document all aspects of dense shelf water formation within an Antarctic polynya system. (cires.colorado.edu)