Study of potential effects of climate change on the ecosystems of temperate Seas: the Alboran Sea case

Solé, J. (1,2); Zavala-Garay(2), J.; Wilkin, J. (2); Werner F. (2); Tintoré J.(1)

(1) IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB). Miquel Marques 21, Esporles, Mallorca. Spain
(2) IMCS (Rutgers University). 71 Dudley Road, New Brunswick (NJ). USA


We study the inter-annual variability of the circulation in the Alborán Sea. We use ROMS forced by a 40 years re-analysis and MFS boundary conditions to identify global change scenarios. These scenarios are characterized by the duration and intensity of the main oceanic structures usually formed in this area (Alboran gyres and Almeria-Oran front). For each one, we study the adjustment processes between Modified Atlantic Water (MAW, S < 36) and denser Mediterranean Water (MW, S>37). The interaction of these two major water masses is particularly important in the Eastern Alboran area, where the Almeria-Oran front is a major dynamical boundary (1,5 sigma-t difference). We analyze the dynamical relevance of mesoscale and sub-mesoscale eddies in the variability of the mean structures. We also analyze the effects of this physical variability on the ecosystem behavior using ROMS NPZD model.