Benthic dynamics at the carbonate mound regions of the Porcupine Sea Bight continental margin |
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| Authors: | Martin White |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, NUI, Galway, Ireland |
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| Abstract: | A brief review is given of some dynamical processes that influence the benthic dynamics within the carbonate mound provinces
located at the Porcupine Bank/Sea Bight margin, NE Atlantic. The depth range of the mounds in this region (600–1,000 m) marks
the upper boundary of the Mediterranean outflow water above which Eastern North Atlantic Water dominates. Both water masses
are carried northwards by the eastern boundary slope current. In the benthic boundary layer both the action of internal waves,
and other tidal period baroclinic waves, may enhance the bottom currents and add to both the residual and maximum flow strength.
Both residual and maximum bottom currents vary at different mound locations, with stronger currents found at Belgica (SE Porcupine
Sea Bight) mound and Pelagia (NW Porcupine Bank) mound regions, whilst weakest currents are found at the Hovland and Magellan
Mounds at the northern Sea Bight margin. The differences may be attributed to the presence of internal waves (Pelagia) or
bottom intensified diurnal waves (Belgica). These different dynamical regimes are likely to have implications for the distribution
patterns of live coral at the different locations. |
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| Keywords: | Benthic dynamics Carbonate mounds Cold corals |
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