Ecological distribution of semi-demersal fishes in space and time on the shelf of Antalya Gulf

In this study we provide a baseline data on semidemersal fish assemblages and biology in a heterogeneous and yet less studied portion of the shelf of Antalya Gulf. The distribution of fish abundance in three transects subjected to different fisheries regulations (fishery vs non fishery areas), and including depths of 10, 25, 75, 125, 200 m, was studied between May 2014 and February 2015 in representative months of winter, spring, summer and autumn seasons. A total of 76 fish species belonging to 40 families was collected and semidemersal species distribution was analyzed in comparison with the whole community. Spatial distribution of fish was driven mainly by depth and two main assemblages were observed: shallow waters (10-25; 75 m) and deep waters (125-200 m). Significant differences among transects were found for the whole community but not for the semidemersal species. Analysis showed that this was due to a strong relation of these species with local environmental characteristics rather than to a different fishing pressure over transects. Firstly all species distribute according to the bathymetrical gradient and secondly to the bottom type structure. Semidemersal species were then found more related to zooplankton and suspended matter availability. The main morphological characteristics, sex and size distribution of the target semidemersal species Spicara smaris (Linnaeus, 1758), Saurida undosquamis (Richardson, 1848), Pagellus acarne (Risso, 1827) were also investigated.

Dynamics of inorganic carbon and carbonate saturation in the Gulf of Cádiz (SW Spain)

The study of inorganic carbon chemistry of the coastal ocean is conducted in the Gulf of Cádiz (GoC). Here we describe observations obtained during 4 sampling cruises in March, June, September and November 2015. The primary data set consists of state-of-the-art measurements of the keystone parameters of the marine CO2 system: Total Alkalinity (TA), pH, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). We have then calculated aragonite and calcite saturation state. The distribution of inorganic carbon system parameters in the north eastern shelf of the Gulf of Cádiz showed temporal and spatial variability. River input, mixing, primary production, respiration and remineralization were factors that controlled such distributions. Data related to carbonate saturation of calcite and aragonite reveal the occurrence of a supersaturated water; in any case, both species increased with distance and decreased with depth. The carbon system parameters present a different behaviour close to the coast to offshore ad at deeper water. In this area six water masses are clearly identified by their different chemical properties: Surface Atlantic Water, North Atlantic Central Water (NACW) and Mediterranean Water (MOW). Moreover, with this work the measurement of calcium in seawater is optimize, allowing a better quantification for future work of the saturation state of CaCO3.