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The role of Ocean-Atmosphere processes in the biogeochemistry of the Mediterranean
Sea
Bologna, 8-11 October 1997
This workshop was convened
to specifically assess what is known about air-sea interactive processes
in the Mediterranean and draw up an outline of a multidisciplinary programme
that could be used by scientists in the years to come to test hypotheses
on air-sea processes which may govern the biogeochemistry and productivity
of its waters. The topics which the group reviewed included:
- atmospheric inputs of
contaminants, trace elements, and nutrients
- anthropogenic vs. natural
input sources of elements: relative magnitudes
- interactions with particles
in the water column and resultant scavenging processes
- Saharan dust as a unique
transport vector
- atmospheric fallout of
nutrients as a stimulus to productivity
- greenhouse gas production
- atmospheric controls
on Mediterranean sea water chemistry
- circulation and transport
models for the enclosed Mediterranean system
- role of anthropogenic
materials in modifying natural fluxes (e.g., SO2 cycle).
It was further decided that
a multi-faceted strategy should be adopted. As far as possible the plan
aims to carry out a large scale "natural experiment" by studying in real
time the pulsed atmospheric inputs of materials from north Africa and continental
Europe which are a unique feature of this basin. The components of this
strategy, which are elaborated in detail in the full Workshop Report, available
upon request from the CIESM Secretariat, consist of:
- the co-ordination and
examination of existing data sets;
- the direct determination
of the effects of atmospheric dust on Mediterranean surface waters through
a combination of field and laboratory studies;
- improvement in the regional
coverage and standardisation of dust collection in the Mediterranean.
- highlighting of particular
processes that may play a role in attenuating the geochemical effects of
dust deposition.
- co-ordination of future
data bases.
For more information,
contact Dr
Scott Fowler.
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