The Artabro Gulf (1 500 km(2) north-west of the Iberian Peninsula) has been studied based on data obtained in August 1993, under typical summer meteorological conditions (COPLA 893 cruise). This is the first study on the summer hydrography of the Artabro Gulf. During this season, the hydrography of this area is quite complex and must be understood in terms of three factors: 1) upwelling, 2) two different eastern North Atlantic Central Water (ENACW) water masses and 3) rias water exchange. A local wind-induced upwelling of ENACW, (subpolar) occurs off Prior Cape. The plume is located off the gulf coastline, but inside the continental shelf. The frontal zone, rich in nutrients and chlorophyll, is parallel to the gulf line, starting in the Prior region and... |