Assessing Ecological Dynamics in the Mediterranean Sea

Optical properties of surface waters, which depend on the presence, nature and concentration of water constituents, can be used as tracers of coastal and marine ecological dynamics. The features described by such properties (namely coastal plumes and filaments, frontal structures, meso-scale eddies and gyres) differentiate between ecological provinces shaped by heterogeneous bio-geo-chemical patterns. The comparison of optical data collected by different remote sensors in different periods ? e.g. that of the SeaWiFS (1998-2003), as compared to that of the CZCS (1979-1985) ? suggests that geographical setting and atmospheric forcing in near-coastal regions are critical in establishing the observed patterns? space-time distribution.

BARALE Vittorio; 

2005-12-22

MEDCOAST, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (Turkey)

JRC30665