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Seasonal variability of nutrient concentrations in the M editerranean S ea: Contribution of B io‐ A rgo floats
Author(s) -
Pasqueron de Fommervault Orens,
D'Ortenzio Fabrizio,
Mangin Antoine,
Serra Romain,
Migon Christophe,
Claustre Hervé,
Lavigne Héloïse,
Ribera d'Alcalà Maurizio,
Prieur Louis,
Taillandier Vincent,
Schmechtig Catherine,
Poteau Antoine,
Leymarie Edouard,
Dufour Aurélie,
Besson Florent,
Obolensky Grigor
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: oceans
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9291
pISSN - 2169-9275
DOI - 10.1002/2015jc011103
Subject(s) - argo , mediterranean sea , mediterranean climate , nitrate , environmental science , oceanography , temperate climate , structural basin , mixed layer , mediterranean basin , subtropics , climatology , geology , ecology , biology , paleontology
In 2013, as part of the French NAOS (Novel Argo Oceanic observing System) program, five profiling floats equipped with nitrate sensors (SUNA‐V2) together with CTD and bio‐optical sensors were deployed in the Mediterranean Sea. At present day, more than 500 profiles of physical and biological parameters were acquired, and significantly increased the number of available nitrate data in the Mediterranean Sea. Results obtained from floats confirm the general view of the basin, and the well‐known west‐to‐east gradient of oligotrophy. At seasonal scale, the north western Mediterranean displays a clear temperate pattern sustained by both deep winter mixed layer and shallow nitracline. The other sampled areas follow a subtropical regime (nitracline depth and mixed layer depth are generally decoupled). Float data also permit to highlight the major contribution of high‐frequency processes in controlling the nitrate supply during winter in the north western Mediterranean Sea and in altering the nitrate stock in subsurface in the eastern basin.