General patterns of circulation, sediment fluxes and ecology of the Palamós (La Fonera) submarine canyon, northwestern Mediterranean

Palanqués, Albert; Garcı́a-Ladona, Emilio; Gomis, Damià; Martín, Jacobo; Marcos, Marta; Pascual, Ananda; Puig, Pere; Gili, Josep-Marı́a; Emelianov, Mikhail; Monserrat, Sebastià; Guillén, Jorge; Tintoré, Joaquı́n; Segura, Mariona; Jordi, Antoni; Ruiz, Simón; Basterretxea, Gotzon; Font, Jordi; Blasco, Dolors; Pagès, Francesc

doi:10.1016/j.pocean.2004.07.016

Cited by 106 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Near-bottom currents are observed to be constrained to the topography as expected and closed circulations are observed in the canyons (Palanques et al, 2005). Especially when considering the deeper parts of the canyon (>1200 m), near surface flow is unaffected by the underlying topography under real stratifications (Palanques et al, 2005). Flow across the canyon leads to localized upwelling on its downstream side with downwelling on the upstream side (Flexas et al, 2008).…”

Section: Observations Of Upwelling/downwelling In Canyonsmentioning

confidence: 69%

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A review of the role of submarine canyons in deep-ocean exchange with the shelf

2009

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Abstract. Cross shelf-break exchange is limited by the tendency of geostrophic flow to follow bathymetric contours, not cross them. However, small scale topography, such as canyons, can reduce the local lengthscale of the flow and increase the local Rossby number. These higher Rossby numbers mean the flow is no longer purely geostrophic and significant cross-isobath flow can occur. This cross-isobath flow includes both upwelling and downwelling due to wind-driven shelf currents and the strong cascading flows of dense shelfwater into the ocean. Tidal currents usually run primarily parallel to the shelf-break topography. Canyons cut across these flows and thus are often regions of generation of strong baroclinic tides and internal waves. Canyons can also focus internal waves. Both processes lead to greatly elevated levels of mixing. Thus, through both advection and mixing processes, canyons can enhance Deep Ocean Shelf Exchange. Here we review the state of the science describing the dynamics of the flows and suggest further areas of research, particularly into quantifying fluxes of nutrients and carbon as well as heat and salt through canyons.

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Section: Observations Of Upwelling/downwelling In Canyonsmentioning

confidence: 69%

“…Near the surface the flow is only weakly affected by the canyon (Hickey, 1997;Palanques et al, 2005). How far up above the canyon the topography is "felt" will be a function of stratification and the size of the canyon.…”

Section: Vertical Structure Of Canyon Driven Upwellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of the role of submarine canyons in deep-ocean exchange with the shelf

2009

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“…Berné et al, 1999;Canals et al, 2004Canals et al, , 2009Puig et al, 2008) as well as to their biodiversity and fishery resources (e.g. Cartes et al, 1994;Stefanescu et al, 1994;Gili et al, 2000;Palanques et al, 2005;Sardà et al, 2009;Farrugio, 2012;Revenga Martinez de Pazos, 2012;Fabri et al, 2014). In the last two decades, the canyons have been investigated as a part of national projects carried out in different countries as well as in the context of European projects designed to gain new insight into the biodiversity, ecosystem structure, and function in the deep sea (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Macro- and megafauna recorded in the submarine Bari Canyon (southern Adriatic, Mediterranean Sea) using different tools

et al. 2015

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Macro- and megafauna were recorded in the submarine Bari Canyon (southern Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean Sea) during an oceanographic cruise carried out in May-June 2012 and an experimental fishing survey conducted in November 2013. During the former, a total of 20 benthic samples were taken using a Van Veen grab at depths between 268 and 770 m and 4 deployments of a baited lander, for about 43 hours of video records, were carried out at depths between 443 and 788 m. During the latter, 8 longline fishing operations were conducted from 338 down to 612 m. Eighty-five living benthic and benthopelagic species were recorded: 29 Porifera, 1 Cnidaria, 2 Mollusca, 11 Annelida, 1 Arthropoda, 19 Bryozoa, 3 Echinodermata and 19 Chordata. A total of 51 species are new records for the Bari Canyon, 29 new records for the Adriatic Sea. Among the Porifera Cerbaris curvispiculifer is a new addition for the Italian Sponge Fauna. The first certain record of living specimens for the bryozoan Crisia tenella longinodata is reported. A total of 6 Mediterranean endemic species have been identified: 4 Porifera and 2 Annelida. The bathymetric range of some species has been extended. New information acquired for deep sea species confirms their importance in the structure of cold-water coral communities. This study has updated the knowledge on the biodiversity of the Adriatic Sea, as well as of the Bari Canyon in particular, one of the sites designated as “jewels of the Mediterranean” for which urgent conservation measures are needed.

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“…Sediments and OM are transported from the continental shelf down the canyon and into the deep sea (de Stigter et al, 2007;Oliveira et al, 2007;de Leo et al, 2010;Vetter et al, 2010). Enrichment of OM in canyon sediments leads to enhanced benthic abundance and biomass (Rowe et al, 1982;Soetaert et al, 1991;Dayton, 1998, 1999;Palanques et al, 2005;Bianchelli et al, 2008), and increased metabolic activities Accornero et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The trophic biology of the holothurian <i>Molpadia musculus</i>: implications for organic matter cycling and ecosystem functioning in a deep submarine canyon

et al. 2010

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Abstract. Megafaunal organisms play a key role in ecosystem functioning in the deep-sea through bioturbation, bioirrigation and organic matter cycling. At 3500 m water depth in the Nazaré Canyon, NE Atlantic, very high abundances of the infaunal holothurian Molpadia musculus were observed. To quantify the role of M. musculus in sediment cycling, sediment samples and holothurians were collected using an ROV and in situ experiments were conducted with incubation chambers. The biochemical composition of the sediment (in terms of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids), the holothurians' gut contents and holothurians' faecal material were analysed. In the sediments, proteins were the dominant organic compound, followed by carbohydrates and lipids. In the holothurian's gut contents, protein concentrations were higher than the other compounds, decreasing significantly as the material passed through the digestive tract. Approximately 33 ± 1% of the proteins were digested by the time sediment reached the mid gut, with a total digestion rate equal to 67 ± 1%. Carbohydrates and lipids were ingested in smaller amounts and digested with lower efficiencies (23 ± 11% and 50 ± 11%, respectively). As a result, the biopolymeric C digestion rate was on average 62 ± 3%. We estimated that the population of M. musculus could remove approximately 0.49 ± 0.13 g biopolymeric C and 0.13 ± 0.03 g N m −2 d −1 from the sediments. These results suggest that M. musculus plays a key role in the benthic tropho-dynamics and biogeochemical processes in the Nazaré Canyon.

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General patterns of circulation, sediment fluxes and ecology of the Palamós (La Fonera) submarine canyon, northwestern Mediterranean

Cited by 106 publications

References 57 publications

A review of the role of submarine canyons in deep-ocean exchange with the shelf

A review of the role of submarine canyons in deep-ocean exchange with the shelf

Macro- and megafauna recorded in the submarine Bari Canyon (southern Adriatic, Mediterranean Sea) using different tools

The trophic biology of the holothurian <i>Molpadia musculus</i>: implications for organic matter cycling and ecosystem functioning in a deep submarine canyon

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General patterns of circulation, sediment fluxes and ecology of the Palamós (La Fonera) submarine canyon, northwestern Mediterranean

Cited by 106 publications

References 57 publications

A review of the role of submarine canyons in deep-ocean exchange with the shelf

A review of the role of submarine canyons in deep-ocean exchange with the shelf

Macro- and megafauna recorded in the submarine Bari Canyon (southern Adriatic, Mediterranean Sea) using different tools

The trophic biology of the holothurian &lt;i&gt;Molpadia musculus&lt;/i&gt;: implications for organic matter cycling and ecosystem functioning in a deep submarine canyon

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The trophic biology of the holothurian <i>Molpadia musculus</i>: implications for organic matter cycling and ecosystem functioning in a deep submarine canyon