Physical Connectivity Between the NE Atlantic Seamounts

Within the Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone, the Great Meteor and Madeira-Tore complexes are highly productive areas, which are likely to be classified as marine protected areas (MPAs) due to their ecological vulnerability. This was the main focus of the BIOMETORE project and, framed on it, the aim of the present study was to investigate the physical connectivity between both seamount complexes. Using the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model coupled with the Connectivity Modeling System (CMS) (a Lagrangian tool), a series of experiments was conducted in order to determine the influence of the main oceanographic phenomena governing the area in: (i) the origin of the particles that reach each complex, (ii) their capacity to capture and retain incoming particles, and (iii) the physical connectivity between them as well as the intra-connectivity within each seamount system. Due to the geographical location of both groups of seamounts, the Azores Current (AzC) and its associated eddies were identified as the main transport pathways, its influence being stronger at intermediate waters and decreasing with depth. Notwithstanding, the Great Meteor and the MadeiraTore were mainly affected by the AzC southward and eastward branches, respectively, resulting in a non-significant connectivity between the two groups. Meanwhile, the inter-connectivity between seamounts slightly varied with depth at the Great Meteor complex while increasing at Madeira-Tore. In addition, the Plateau, Irving, and Cruiser (PIC) seamounts from the Great Meteor complex and Gorringe and Coral from the Madeira-Tore complex proved to incorporate the regional connectivity routes. Although containing the three smallest seamounts, Madeira-Tore showed the higher capturing capacity per square kilometer, highlighting the influence of the "sticky water effect." In the Great Meteor complex, the "seamount effect" seems to be the main phenomenon responsible for the greater retention and self-recruitment abilities of these seamounts. The presented results provide valuable information for the design of a MPA to preserve these vulnerable habitat

Modelling the effect of the tidal cycle on the high phytoplankton biomass area of Cape Trafalgar (SW Iberian Peninsula)

Physical–biological interactions in the ocean are known to be crucial for understanding ecosystem processes. In this study, we examine the influence of the tide-topography interaction on the high productivity area of Cape Trafalgar using a high-resolution ocean circulation model coupled to an ecosystem model. The obtained results highlight the relevance of the tidal cycle explaining the high phytoplankton biomass that characterises this region through an active and periodic forcing, resulting in a pulsating upwelling system. Our model shows that the interaction of the westward zonal component of the tidal current (uvel) with the submarine ridge that characterises this region, which is perpendicular to the coast, results in the pumping of deep, cold, salty, and nutrient-rich waters to the well-illuminated subsurface waters, fuelling phytoplankton growth. At the same time, the interaction of the westward tidal current with the ridge leads to the development of a cyclonic eddy, which enables the redistribution of the upwelled waters over and to the east of Barbate High. The fortnightly tidal period has been identified as the most influential because (an effective) tidal-pumping process only takes place when the westward uvel is ∼ 0.42 m s−1, a condition attained between ∼ 3 days before and after the moment of maximum tidal flow during spring tides. Simultaneously, the energy and the associated horizontal and vertical mixing of the cyclonic gyre also vary with the tidal cycle, being stronger during spring tides. Both tidally driven processes, i.e., the cyclical upslope advection of deep nutrient-rich water and the influence of the cyclonic gyre, are the main mechanisms that lead to the development of a persistent phytoplankton-rich tongue over Barbate High. Consequently, Cape Trafalgar acts as a source of nutrient- and phytoplankton-rich waters to the surrounding waters

Types and Distribution of Bioactive Polyunsaturated Aldehydes in a Gradient from Mesotrophic to OligotrophicWaters in the Alborán Sea (Western Mediterranean)

Polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) are bioactive molecules suggested as chemical defenses and infochemicals. In marine coastal habitats, diatoms reach high PUA production levels during bloom episodes. Two fractions of PUA can usually be analyzed: pPUA obtained via artificial breakage of collected phytoplankton cells and dissolved PUA already released to the environment (dPUA). In nature, resource supply arises as a main environmental controlling factor of PUA production. In this work, we monitored the vertical distribution and daily variation of pPUA associated with large-size phytoplankton and dPUA, at three sites located in the Alboran Sea from mesotrophic to oligotrophic waters. The results corroborate the presence of large-size PUA producers in oligotrophic and mesotrophic waters with a significant (58%-85%) diatom biomass. In addition to diatoms, significant correlations between pPUA production and dinoflagellate and silicoflagellate abundance were observed. 2E,4E/Z-Heptadienal was the most abundant aldehyde at the three sites with higher values (17.1 fg center dot cell(-1)) at the most oligotrophic site. 2E,4E/Z-Decadienal was the least abundant aldehyde, decreasing toward the oligotrophic site. For the first time, we describe the daily fluctuation of pPUA attributable to cellular physiological state and not exclusively to taxonomical composition. Our results demonstrate the persistence of threshold levels of dPUA deep in the water column, as well as the different chromatographic profiles of dPUA compared with pPUA. We propose different isomerization processes that alter the chemical structure of the released PUAs with unknown effects on their stability, biological function, and potential bioactivity

Modelling the effect of the tidal cycle on the high phytoplankton biomass area of Cape Trafalgar (SW Iberian Peninsula)

Physical-biological interactions in the ocean are known to be crucial for understanding ecosystem processes. This is particularly relevant in the highly dynamic coastal regions, where the biogeochemical processes associated with higher-frequency perturbations such as tidal waves play a key role in primary production. In this study, we examine the influence of the tide-topography interaction on the high productivity area of Cape Trafalgar (NW limit of the Strait of Gibraltar, Iberian Peninsula) using a high-resolution ocean circulation model coupled to an ecosystem model. The obtained results highlight the relevance of the tidal cycle explaining the high phytoplankton biomass that characterises this region through an active and periodic forcing, resulting in a pulsating upwelling system. Our model shows that the interaction of the westward zonal component of the tidal current (uvel) with the submarine ridge (i.e., Barbate High) that characterises this region, which is perpendicular to the coast, results in the pumping of deep, cold, salty, and nutrient-rich waters to the well-illuminated subsurface waters, fuelling phytoplankton growth. At the same time, the interaction of the westward tidal current with the ridge leads to the development of a cyclonic eddy, which enables the redistribution of the upwelled waters over and to the east of Barbate High. The fortnightly tidal period has been identified as the most influential because (an effective) tidal-pumping process only takes place when the westward uvel is ∼0.42 m s−1, a condition attained between ∼3 days before and after the moment of maximum tidal flow during spring tides. Simultaneously, the energy and the associated horizontal and vertical mixing of the cyclonic gyre also vary with the tidal cycle, being stronger during spring tides. Both tidally driven processes, i.e., the cyclical upslope advection of deep nutrient-rich water and the influence of the cyclonic gyre, are the main mechanisms that lead to the development of a persistent phytoplankton-rich tongue over Barbate High. Consequently, Cape Trafalgar acts as a source of nutrient- and phytoplankton-rich waters to the surrounding waters

Analysis of internal soliton signals and their eastward propagation in the Alboran Sea : exploring the effect of subinertial forcing and fortnightly variability

Internal waves are commonly observed in oceans and lakes where high stratification exists. In the present study in the Strait of Gibraltar, we analyse internal soliton signals recorded in different locations in their eastward propagation from their release point (Camarinal Sill) to the continental slope of the northwestern Alboran Sea. Moreover, the effect of subinertial forcing on the release of solitons is also explored. The internal soliton activity was assessed from different approaches: (i) in-situ data (i.e., current and temperature measurements or High-Frequency Radar), (ii) numerical modelling, and (iii) an analytical approach. The arrival of solitons over the continental slope of the north-western Alboran Sea showed fortnightly variability in both number (occurrence) and amplitude during spring tides when compared with during neap tides. The observed arrival times of the solitons oscillated between 14 (spring tides) and 20 h (neap tides). Nevertheless, to provide a comprehensive explanation for the fluctuations in travel times, it is necessary to consider the subinertial variability driven by atmospheric forcing, which impacts both the flow in the Strait of Gibraltar and the mesoscale patterns in the Alboran Sea (e.g., the Coastal Cyclonic Gyre)

NUP98 is fused to adducin 3 in a patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and myeloid markers, with a new translocation t(10;11)(q25;p15)

The nucleoporin 98 gene (NUP98) has been reported to be fused to 13 partner genes in hematological malignancies with 11p15 translocations. Twelve of them have been identified in patients with myeloid neoplasias and only 1, RAP1GDS1 (4q21), is fused with NUP98 in five patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Three of these patients coexpressed T and myeloid markers, suggesting the specific association of t(4;11)(q21;p15) with a subset of T-ALL originating from an early progenitor, which has the potential to express mature T-cell antigens as well as myeloid markers. We describe here a new NUP98 partner involved in a t(10;11)(q25;p15) in a patient with acute biphenotypic leukemia, showing coexpression of mature T and myeloid markers. The gene involved, located in 10q25, was identified as ADD3 using 3'-RACE. ADD3 codes for the ubiquitous expressed subunit gamma of the adducin protein, and it seems to play an important role in the skeletal organization of the cell membrane. Both NUP98-ADD3 and ADD3-NUP98 fusion transcripts are expressed in the patient. This is the second partner of NUP98 described in T-ALL. Adducin shares with the product of RAP1GDS1, and with all of the nonhomeobox NUP98 partners, the presence of a region with significant probability of adopting a coiled-coil conformation. This region is always retained in the fusion transcript with the NH(2) terminus FG repeats of NUP98, suggesting an important role in the mechanism of leukemogenesis

Phytoplankton functional types in Alboran Sea through remote sensing images

Trabajo presentado en el Colour and light in the ocean from Earth Observation (CLEO), celebrado en Frascati (Italia) del 6 al 8 de septimbre de 2016.The spatio-temporal variability of the phytoplankton functional types was studied during several years across the Alborán Sea using PHYSAT-Med algorithm. This algorithm is a regionalized version of the global PHYSAT method that has been specifically developed for the Mediterranean Sea due to the peculiarities of phytoplankton assemblages and succession found in this basin, and its particular optical properties. PHYSATMed algorithm has been validated with in situ datasets collected during several cruises in the Alborán Sea. Results showed different variability of nanoeukaryotes, Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus and diatoms, correlated with the different physical features that characterize this area, such as Estepona upwelling, Atlantic jet and anticyclonic gyre.This research was supported by Spanish National Project (CTM2014-58181-R and CTM2013-49048-C2-2-R) and PIE (201530I012).N

The influence of tidal spring-neap cycle in the distribution of chlorophyll a in the Strait of Gibraltar region

Trabajo presentado en el V simposio Internacional de Ciencias del Mar, celebrado en alicante del 20 al 22 de julio de 2016.The study of chlorophyll distribution in the gulf of Cádiz-Strait of Gibraltar-Alborán Sea region is of special interest due to the complex dynamics associated to this area.This work has been supported by the Spanish National Research Plan through projects, CMT2013-49048-C2-1-R, CTM2013-49048-C2-2-R, CTM2014-58181-R, and Regional Project PR11-RNM-7722. Iria Sala and Marina Bolado-Penagos are supported by a grant of the FPI fellowship program.N

High-Chlorophyll-Area Assessment Based on Remote Sensing Observations: The Case Study of Cape Trafalgar

Cape Trafalgar has been highlighted as a hotspot of high chlorophyll concentrations, as well as a source of biomass for the Alborán Sea. It is located in an unique geographical framework between the Gulf of Cádiz (GoC), which is dominated by long-term seasonal variability, and the Strait of Gibraltar, which is mainly governed by short-term tidal variability. Furthermore, here bathymetry plays an important role in the upwelling of nutrient-rich waters. In order to study the spatial and temporal variability of chlorophyll-a in this region, 10 years of ocean colour observations using the MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) were analysed through different approaches. An empirical orthogonal function decomposition distinguished two coastal zones with opposing phases that were analysed by wavelet methods in order to identify their temporal variability. In addition, to better understand the physical–biological interaction in these zones, the co-variation between chlorophyll-a and different environmental variables (wind, river discharge, and tidal current) was analysed. Zone 1, located on the GoC continental shelf, was characterised by a seasonal variability weakened by the influence of other environmental variables. Meanwhile, Zone 2, which represented the dynamics in Cape Trafalgar but did not show any clear pattern of variability, was strongly correlated with tidal current whose variability was probably determined by other drivers.The Spanish National Research Plan through projects, CTM2013-49048, CTM2014-58181-R, and Regional Project PR11-RNM-7722 have supported this work. Iria Sala and Marina Bolado-Penagos are supported by a grant of the FPI fellowship program.Peer reviewe

Challenges of building an operational ocean forecasting system for small island regions: regional to local

An ocean circulation forecasting model for the Madeira Archipelago is operational since May 2010. Developing a forecasting system for a small island oceanic region, deprived from in-situ observations, is a challenging task since there are limited ways to validate predictions. Furthermore, model resolution concurrent with insufficient computational power, locally available, are other limiting factors to consider. Regional models combined with the possibility to downscale solutions onto a higher resolution island-scale model is a way to overcome some of such limitations. Nevertheless, generalised regional models must be able to accurately represent the far-field and transport important features such as meddies onto the local systems; while island-scale models must have sufficient grid resolution as well as adequate physics and accurate atmospheric forcing to resolve the near-field phenomena. An island-induced cyclonic eddy event was successfully observed and forecasted with the current approach (regional-local). Generalised single (regional) model initiatives will prove to be insufficient to deal with mesoscale dynamic systems, islands and seamounts are important generators of mesoscale features in the NE Atlantic, with basin scale implications. The forecasting systems of the future should also consider upscaling valid local (island-scale) solutions onto Regional and/or Global models