Slope transport of suspended particulate matter on the Aquitanian margin of the Bay of Biscay

Madron, Xavier Durrieu de; Castaing, Patrice; Nyffeler, F.; Courp, Thierry

doi:10.1016/s0967-0645(99)00053-3

Cited by 87 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Le Cann, personal communication). The presence of intense nepheloid layers most likely caused by internal waves has been reported at depths between 500 and 2250 m along the European margin (Dickson and McCave, 1986;Durrieu De Madron et al, 1999;McCave et al, 2001). Internal wave breaking could hence explain the enhanced DMn and DFe concentrations observed in this depth range in the water column of the slope region, mobilising these metals from the sediments (Figs.…”

Section: Distributions Of Dfe and Dmnmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…Huthnance (1995) highlighted slope circulation as an additional important dynamic process over the continental margin. The north western European slope current flows polewards along the continental margin with a speed intensity varying between 100 and 300 cm s −1 (Huthnance, 1995). Durrieu De Madron et al (1999 and Thorpe and White (1988) indicated slope circulation and seasonal eddy activity to be important dynamic mechanisms that control the entrainment and the dispersion of the suspended particulate matter from the neritic domain to the deep ocean.…”

Section: Distributions Of Dfe and Dmnmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sources and transport of dissolved iron and manganese along the continental margin of the Bay of Biscay

Laës-Huon¹,

Blain

Laan

et al. 2007

Biogeosciences

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Abstract. Dissolved iron (DFe; <0.2 µm) and dissolved manganese (DMn; <0.2 µm) concentrations were determined in the water column of the Bay of Biscay (eastern North Atlantic Ocean) in March 2002. The samples were collected along a transect traversing from the European continental shelf over the continental slope. The highest DFe and DMn concentrations (2.39 nM and 6.10 nM, respectively) were observed in the bottom waters on the shelf at stations closest to the coast. The release of trace metal from resuspended particles and the diffusion from pore waters were probably at the origin of elevated DFe and DMn concentrations in the Bottom Boundary Layer (BBL). In the slope region, the highest total dissolvable iron (TDFe), DFe and DMn values (24.6 nM, 1.58 nM and 2.12 nM, respectively) were observed close to the bottom at depth of ca. 600-700 m. Internal wave activity and slope circulation are thought to be at the origin of this phenomenon. These processes were also very likely the cause of elevated concentrations (DFe: 1.27 nM, DMn: 2.34 nM) measured in surface waters of stations located in the same area. At stations off the continental slope, the vertical distribution of both metals were typical of open ocean conditions, indicating that inputs from the continental margin did not impact the metal distributions in the offshore waters.

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Section: Distributions Of Dfe and Dmnmentioning

confidence: 74%

Section: Distributions Of Dfe and Dmnmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sources and transport of dissolved iron and manganese along the continental margin of the Bay of Biscay

Laës-Huon¹,

Blain

Laan

et al. 2007

Biogeosciences

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“…The presence of Mesozoic fossilized coccoliths throughout the route suggests sediment transport from these sources. Off-shelf transport of sediment within the Bay of Biscay has been intensively studied (Durrieu De Madron et al 1999). Rivers and coastal runoff discharge large quantities of suspended particulate matter into the surface layer of the continental shelf region; the Gironde estuary supplies , 70% of this lithogenic input (Durrieu De Madron et al 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Off-shelf transport of sediment within the Bay of Biscay has been intensively studied (Durrieu De Madron et al 1999). Rivers and coastal runoff discharge large quantities of suspended particulate matter into the surface layer of the continental shelf region; the Gironde estuary supplies , 70% of this lithogenic input (Durrieu De Madron et al 1999). Lateral transport of lithogenic particulate matter off of the continental shelf has also been observed in sediment traps in the Bay of Biscay (Beaufort and Heussner 1999) and is considered an important component of the global oceanic carbon cycle through export of sediment to depth (Hwang et al 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of lithogenic material on particulate inorganic carbon measurements of coccolithophores in the Bay of Biscay

Daniels

Tyrrell

Poulton

et al. 2011

Limnology & Oceanography

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Following earlier data suggesting a decoupling between coccolithophore abundance and its suggested proxy, particulate inorganic carbon (PIC), we investigated this relationship in the Bay of Biscay (northwest European shelf), between December 2009 and July 2010. Coccolithophore abundance, coccolith calcite, and PIC were determined in surface waters (5-m depth) along a transect crossing the Bay. Emiliania huxleyi was the most abundant species of coccolithophore and the main contributor of coccolith calcite (55-64%). PIC ranged from 0.07 to 11.7 mmol C m 23 , and coccolith calcite from 0.002 to 0.27 mmol C m 23 . Total PIC exceeded coccolith calcite in all samples, with only , 11% of the PIC attributed to coccoliths. Coccolithophores alone could not account for the PIC concentrations measured. Lithogenic particulate matter, with calcite and dolomite components, was observed in samples across the route and decoupled the relationship between PIC and coccolithophore abundance. Presence of lithogenic material and Mesozoic fossil coccoliths in the samples implies sediment resuspension. These findings question the suitability of PIC as a proxy for coccolithophore abundance and dynamics, particularly on or near continental shelves, where the resuspension and lateral transport of lithogenic calcite may decouple the potential relationship between PIC and coccolithophores.

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“…In the Bay of Biscay several water masses with different origins and densities can be found (de Madron et al, 1999;van Aken, 2000a,b): (i) the Eastern North Atlantic Water (ENAW), (ii) the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW), (iii) the Labrador Sea Water (LSW), and (iv) the Northeast Atlantic Deep Water (NEADW). The ENAW is usually found between 200 and 600 m water depth.…”

Section: Water Masses and Currentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cold-Water Coral Habitats in Submarine Canyons of the Bay of Biscay

et al. 2017

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The topographical and hydrological complexity of submarine canyons, coupled with high substratum heterogeneity, make them ideal environments for cold-water coral (CWC) habitats. These habitats, including reefs, are thought to provide important functions for many organisms. The canyons incising the continental slope of the Bay of Biscay have distinct morphological differences from the north to the south. CWCs have been reported from this basin in the late nineteenth century; however, little is known about their present-day distribution, diversity and environmental drivers in the canyons. In this study, the characteristics and distribution of CWC habitats in the submarine canyons of the Bay of Biscay are investigated. Twenty-four canyons and three locations between adjacent canyons were sampled using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) or a towed camera system. Acquired images were annotated for habitat type (using the CoralFISH classification system), substrate cover and coral identification. Furthermore, the influence of hydrological factors and geomorphology on the CWC distribution was investigated. Eleven coral habitats, formed by 62 morphotypes of scleractinians, gorgonians, antipatharians and seapens, inhabiting hard and/or soft substrate, were observed. The distribution patterns were heterogenous at regional and local scales; the south Bay of Biscay and the southeastern flank favored soft substrate habitats. Biogenic and hard substrate habitats supported higher coral diversities than soft substrate habitats and had similar species compositions. A higher coral species turnover characterized soft substrate habitats. Substrate type was the most important driver of the patterns in both distribution and composition. Observations of coral reefs on steeper areas in the canyons and coral rubble on flatter areas on the interfluve/upper slope support the hypothesis that canyons serve as refuges, being less accessible to trawling, although natural causes may also contribute to the explanation of this distribution pattern. The results of this study fed into a proposal of a Natura 2000 network in the Bay of Biscay where management plans are rare.

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Slope transport of suspended particulate matter on the Aquitanian margin of the Bay of Biscay

Cited by 87 publications

References 30 publications

Sources and transport of dissolved iron and manganese along the continental margin of the Bay of Biscay

Sources and transport of dissolved iron and manganese along the continental margin of the Bay of Biscay

The influence of lithogenic material on particulate inorganic carbon measurements of coccolithophores in the Bay of Biscay

Cold-Water Coral Habitats in Submarine Canyons of the Bay of Biscay

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