Mediterranean Outflow Water imprints on the deep cold-water coral reefs ecosystems on the Galicia Bank (Spain)
- Ricardo Leon 1
- Gemma Ercilla 2
- Francisco Javier Hernández-Molina 3
- Victoriano Urgorri 4
- Luis Somoza 1
- David Casas 1
- Teresa Medialdea 1
- Francisco Javier Gonzalez 1
- 1 IGME, Geological Survey of Spain
- 2 Institut de Ciéncies del Mar, CSIC
- 3 Departamento de Geociencias Marinas y O. T. Universidad de Vigo
- 4 Departamento de Zoología, Fac. de Biología. Univ. de Santiago
ISSN: 1576-5172
Ano de publicación: 2010
Título do exemplar: Deep-Water Circulation: Processes & Products. International Congress. Baitona, Pontevedra, Spain. 16 & 17 June 2010
Número: 11
Páxinas: 95-96
Tipo: Artigo
Outras publicacións en: Geotemas (Madrid)
Resumo
An extensive set of multibeam bathymetry, high resolution multi-channelseismic data, and TOPAS and 3.5 kHzsub-bottom profiles acquired during BREOGHAM, ERGAP 1 and ERGAP2 have allowed the characterization of the imprints of the Mediterranean Outflow Water current on the Galicia Bank (NW Iberian Margin). The study area, located from 600 to 1200 m water depth, has revealed a highly variable range of current-controlled morphological features and deep cold-water coralreefs . We have observed, based on backscatter images and seismic profiles, four main morphological features: bioconstructions, hardgrounds, and patches and fringes of sediment-biosediment. These features are a reflection of the along-slope mode of transport and morphologic constriction of the Mediterranean Outflow water.