Distribution and composition of suspended particulate matter related to a shelf-break saline intrusion in the Cantabrian Sea (Bay of Biscay)

An intrusion of saline water with relatively high concentrations of nitrite was detected at the Cantabrian shelf-break. Four differentiated particle size distributions (PSD) were recognized in relation to the saline and the adjacent water masses. Small particles dominate in the saline nucleus, with...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Bode, Antonio, Fernández, E., Botas, A., Anadón, R.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:1990
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/316372
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/316372
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Centro Oceanográfico de A Coruña
Medio Marino
Descripción
Sumario:An intrusion of saline water with relatively high concentrations of nitrite was detected at the Cantabrian shelf-break. Four differentiated particle size distributions (PSD) were recognized in relation to the saline and the adjacent water masses. Small particles dominate in the saline nucleus, with small flagellates as the most abundant cells. Large particles prevailed in both oceanic and coastal waters where a spring bloom of diatoms occurred. Protein to carbohydrate ratio indicated active growth in all water masses, whereas low chlorophyll to protein ratio (CLA: PROT) and primary production characterized the saline water, and was associated with an important heterotrophic component of the microplankton. Size of particles, concentrations of nitrite and the values of the CLA: PROT ratio suggest active regenerative processes inside the saline water mass, in contrast with seston of coastal and oceanic waters where productive processes prevailed.