| Type |
Article |
| Date |
2009-07 |
| Language |
English |
| Author(s) |
Khripounoff Alexis 1, Vangriesheim Annick1, Crassous Philippe1, Etoubleau Joel2 |
| Affiliation(s) |
1 : IFREMER, Ctr Brest, Dept DEEP LEP, F-29280 Plouzane, France.
2 : IFREMER, Ctr Brest, Dept GM, F-29280 Plouzane, France. |
| Source |
Marine Geology (0025-3227) (Elsevier), 2009-07 , Vol. 263 , N. 1-4 , P. 1-6 |
| DOI |
10.1016/j.margeo.2009.03.014 |
| WOS© Times Cited |
62 |
| Keyword(s) |
West Mediterranean Sea, Particle flux, Var canyon, Hyperpycnal flow, Turbidity current |
| Abstract |
This study aimed to analyze the role river floods play in triggering gravity flows and to investigate the role of submarine canyon systems as a conduit for terrigenous material to the deep sea. Two years of measurements in the Var canyon at depths ranging from 1200 m to 2350 m indicate that six floods of the Var River triggered hyperpycnal flows, an important mechanism for transporting particulate matter to the deep-sea floor. These sediment gravity flows were characterized by a sudden increase of current velocity that lasted 8 to 22 h and by downward particle fluxes that reached up to 600 g m(-2)d(-1) of particles and 3.1 g m(-2)d(-1) in terms of organic carbon. These large inputs of sediment and organic carbon may have a significant impact on deep-sea ecosystems and carbon storage in the Mediterranean Sea. |
| Full Text |
| File |
Pages |
Size |
Access |
| publication-6640.pdf |
10 |
617 KB |
Open access |
|
