Aspects concerning the occurrence of summer upwelling along the southern Bay of Biscay during 1993-2000

The occurrence of coastal upwelling along the southern Bay of Biscay in response to easterly winds shows clear seasonal variability, with peak development centred during the spring and summer. The historical series (1993-2000) of autumn temperatures has allowed identification of different patterns of upwelling. One of the main conclusions deals with the non-permanent character of the upwelling fringe along the Galicia-Cantabrian coast. This feature is related to the magnitude, time-span and synoptic occurrence of the winds. The occurrence of westerly winds pushes warm waters onto the coastal regions and leads to a reversal of the current pattern over the continental shelf. This may affect the survival of fish recruits via reduced primary production and its subsequent affect on zooplankton.

Article from Marine Science Symposia Vol. 219 - "Hydrobiological variability in the ICES Area, 1990-1999", symposium held in Edinburgh, 8-10 August 2001. To access  the remaining articles please click on the keyword "MSS Vol. 219".