Biogeochemical signatures of the Mediterranean Outflow

Abstract

Biogeochemical properties of the deep Mediterranean Outflow (MOW) crossing the Strait of Gibraltar have been monitored for almost one decade at the ocean time series GIFT. The content of nutrients, carbon (both natural and anthropogenic), alkalinity, oxygen and non CO2 -greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, has been measured in the MOW and comparisons with surface Atlantic waters have been made in order to compute biogeochemical exchanges through the Strait. In addition, pCO2 and pH in the Mediterranean water are being continuously recorded through autonomous sensors installed in a mooring line that was deployed in November 2011. Here we present an overview of the biogeochemistry in the Mediterranean tongue using data collected by this monitoring program.