Spatial and temporal variability of downward particle fluxes on a continental slope: Lessons from an 8-yr experiment in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean (original) (raw)

A long-term experiment of downward particle fluxes and currents has been initiated in 1993 on the continental slope of the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean) and pursued within the frame of several French and European projects (PNEC, Euromarge-NB, MTP II-MATER, EUROSTRATAFORM). Sediment traps and current meters were deployed at several locations on this slope deeply incised by numerous canyons, with an extensive spatial coverage for the first 2 years (canyons at the entrance, middle and exit of the gulf with respect to the general along-slope circulation, head and mid-canyon depths, adjacent open slope). From late 1995 onwards, this design was reduced to the two mid-canyon moorings at the entrance and exit of the gulf. Monthly fluxes and hourly temperatures and currents were recorded at 500 m (30 m above bottom, mab) in the canyon heads, at 500 and 1000 m (respectively 530 and 30 mab) nominal depths at the mid-canyon sites, and at 750 m (30 mab) open slope.