Mesoscale distribution of physical, chemical and biological variables in the southern Sardinian Sea and northern Sardinian Channel during the oceanographic cruise MedGOOS6 (march - april 2003)

During the oceanographic cruise MedGOOS6 since 29 March 2003 to 16 April 2003, the Southern Sardinian Sea and Northern Sardinian Channel were investigated. The analysis of biological (chlorophyll-a and primary production), physical (temperature and salinity) and chemical (nutrients and dissolved oxygen) parameters was performed. The data analysis and satellite images confirm that this area is characterized by mesoscale phenomena, in particular three anticyclonic eddies, which largely affect nutrients and phytoplankton distribution. Moreover between 300 and 700 meters depth there is a Levantine water flux which flows northernly along the continental slope.