Seafloor characterization and backscatter variability of the Almería Margin (Alboran Sea, SW Mediterranean) based on high-resolution acoustic data

Iacono, Claudio Lo; Gràcia, Eulália; Díez, Susana García; Bozzano, Graziella; Moreno, Ximena; Dañobeitia, Juanjo; Alonso, Belén

doi:10.1016/j.margeo.2007.11.004

Cited by 61 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…The eastern part of the Betic Cordillera is affected by a fault system characterized by large NNE-SSW to NE-SW left-lateral segmented faults that continue along the Alboran Sea (Gracia et al, 2008;Lo Iacono et al, 2008). Some of these fault segments deform Quaternary sediments and have associated low to moderate seismicity (Martínez Díaz, 2002;Masana et al, 2004;Booth-Rea et al, 2003;Stich et al, 2003Stich et al, , 2006.…”

Section: Betic Cordilleramentioning

confidence: 99%

Is there an active subduction beneath the Gibraltar orogenic arc? Constraints from Pliocene to present-day stress field

Pedrera

Ruíz-Constán

Galindo-Zaldı́var

et al. 2011

Journal of Geodynamics

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Section: Betic Cordilleramentioning

confidence: 99%

Is there an active subduction beneath the Gibraltar orogenic arc? Constraints from Pliocene to present-day stress field

Pedrera

Ruíz-Constán

Galindo-Zaldı́var

et al. 2011

Journal of Geodynamics

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“…Fonseca, Brown, Calder, Mayer, & Rzhanov, 2009;Fonseca & Mayer, 2007;Stewart, Chu, Malik, Lerner, & Singh, 1994), sediment grain size (e.g. Bentrem, Avera, & Sample, 2006;Brown & Blondel, 2009;Collier & Brown, 2005;Lo Iacono et al, 2008), substrate type (e.g. Dartnell & Gardner, 2004;Karoui, Fablet, Boucher, & Augustin, 2009), and distribution of seagrass meadows and other biota (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile meadows around Lampedusa Island (Strait of Sicily, Italy)

et al. 2016

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We present a seabed map around Lampedusa, the largest island of the Pelagie Islands Marine Protected Area (Italy, western Mediterranean). The seafloor was mapped using bathymetry and backscatter multibeam systems along with an underwater camera for direct observations and ground truthing, from the coastal area to about 50 m depth. The map was produced to monitor the present-day distribution of the Posidonia oceanica meadows around the Island. P. oceanica is the most important endemic seagrass species of the Mediterranean Sea and it can form meadows or beds extending from the surface to 40-45 m depth. These meadows provide habitat for a large marine community, thus increasing biodiversity of the coastal zone, stabilizing sediments and reducing coastline erosion. The seagrass meadows are susceptible to regression in response to specific impacts, thus their presence and abundance is an indicator of the overall environmental quality of the coastal zone. Recently, within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC), P. oceanica has been selected as an indicator of the Good Environmental Status for marine areas. Consequently, the Pelagie Islands Marine Protected Area launched a project to assess the conservation status and map the distribution of P. oceanica meadows. The resulting 1:15,000 scale map includes information about the Mediterranean seagrass and the distribution of five acoustic facies reflecting hard lithologies and soft substrates. The Lampedusa seabed map provides new information, which contributes to the development of a detailed benthic habitat map and a more comprehensive maritime spatial planning of this Marine Protected Area. ARTICLE HISTORY

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“…The Alboran Sea contains a wide variety of ecologically interesting seafloor structures, such as submarine canyons of varying size (Baro et al 2012), carbonate mounds (Lo Iacono et al 2008, Pardo et al 2011, submarine structures caused by fluid emissions such as pockmarks and mud volcanoes (Somoza et al 2012, Gennari et al 2013, and seamounts and banks of different heights and geologic origins (Palomino et al 2011). The diverse seafloor morphology and the location and peculiar hydrodynamic features of the Alboran Sea, with the mixing of Atlantic and Mediterranean waters, promote a wide diversity of habitats and associated biota that have been little studied in specific bathyal areas, especially at a microfaunal level (Salas 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mollusca from a species-rich deep-water <em>Leptometra</em> community in the Alboran Sea

Gofas¹,

Salas²,

Rueda³

et al. 2014

Sci. Mar.

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Summary: An exceptional species richness for Mollusca was found on Avempace bank (349-365 m), Djibouti group, Alboran Sea, where the most abundant species was the crinoid Leptometra phalangium. A sample of sediment sieved on a 0.5-mm mesh yielded 156 species of molluscs (83 live-taken, 1772 specimens) with a high Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H' (log2) =3.60). The dominant mollusc was Limopsis aurita and the six most common species accounted for 77% of the specimens. On the other hand, 42 species were represented by only one or two specimens. Two species are described as new, three more are first findings in the Mediterranean and two are first findings in Iberian waters. One-third of the species have not been reported from the neighbouring, well-explored Alboran Island platform. There is a considerable balance between the trophic groups, denoting a stable and structured community. Most of the species have an extensive Atlantic range, and most have a planktonic larval stage. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that the fauna benefits from a diverse influx of larvae carried in by the more superficial incoming Atlantic current. Because of its exceptional richness, this type of bathyal community with Leptometra and Limopsis should be considered a high priority for habitat conservation in the Mediterranean deep sea.Keywords: species diversity; taxonomy; dominant species; trophic structure; geographical distribution; bathyal zone; Leptometra phalangium; marine molluscs. Moluscos de una comunidad profunda de Leptometra rica en especies en el mar de AlboránResumen: Se encontró una excepcional riqueza específica de moluscos en el banco Avempace (349-365 m), grupo de Djibouti, mar de Alborán, donde la especie más abundante fue el crinoideo Leptometra phalangium. En una muestra de sedimento tamizada sobre una malla de 0.5 mm se hallaron 156 especies de moluscos (83 con ejemplares vivos) y 1772 ejemplares, con un alto valor del índice de diversidad Shannon-Wiener (H' (log2) =3.60). El molusco dominante era Limopsis aurita y las seis especies más comunes eran el 77% de los ejemplares. Por otro lado, 42 especies estuvieron representadas únicamente por uno o dos ejemplares. Dos especies se describen como nuevas; tres más son primera cita para el Mediterráneo y dos son primera cita en aguas ibéricas. Un tercio de las especies no están citadas en la plataforma de la vecina isla de Alborán, por su parte bastante estudiada. La representación de los distintos grupos tróficos es equilibrada, denotando una comunidad estable y estructurada. La mayoría de las especies tienen una amplia distribución en el Atlántico y una fase larvaria planctónica. Por lo tanto se supone que la fauna se beneficia de un aporte diverso de larvas por la corriente superficial que entra desde el Atlántico. Por su excepcional riqueza, este tipo de comunidad batial con Leptometra y Limopsis merece considerarse prioritaria para la conservación de hábitats profundos del mar Mediterráneo.Palabras clave: diversidad especifica; taxonomía; especies dominantes; estruc...

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Seafloor characterization and backscatter variability of the Almería Margin (Alboran Sea, SW Mediterranean) based on high-resolution acoustic data

Cited by 61 publications

References 49 publications

Is there an active subduction beneath the Gibraltar orogenic arc? Constraints from Pliocene to present-day stress field

Is there an active subduction beneath the Gibraltar orogenic arc? Constraints from Pliocene to present-day stress field

Distribution of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile meadows around Lampedusa Island (Strait of Sicily, Italy)

Mollusca from a species-rich deep-water <em>Leptometra</em> community in the Alboran Sea

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