Mediterranean Outflow Water imprints on the deep cold-water coral reefs ecosystems on the Galicia Bank (Spain)

• Ricardo Leon ^[3] ; Gemma Ercilla ^[1] ; Francisco Javier Hernández-Molina ^[2] ; Victoriano Urgorri ^[4] ; Luis Somoza ^[3] ; David Casas ^[3] ; Teresa Medialdea ^[3] ; Francisco Javier Gonzalez ^[3]
  1. [1] Instituto de Ciencias del Mar

     Instituto de Ciencias del Mar

     Barcelona, España

     
  2. [2] Universidade de Vigo

     Universidade de Vigo

     Vigo, España

     
  3. [3] IGME, Geological Survey of Spain
  4. [4] Departamento de Zoología, Fac. de Biología. Univ. de Santiago

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• Localización: Geotemas (Madrid), ISSN 1576-5172, Nº. 11, 2010 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Deep-Water Circulation: Processes & Products. International Congress. Baitona, Pontevedra, Spain. 16 & 17 June 2010), págs. 95-96
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • 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.