Oceanography and Marine Environment of the Basque Country

596 Pages·2004·24.149 MB·3-616\596

by  Á. Borja and M. Collins (Eds.)

Preface
Angel Borja a and Michael Collins b
a AZTI Foundation, Department of Oceanography and Marine Environment; Herrera Kaia,
Portualdea s/n; 20110 Pasaia (Spain)
b School of Ocean & Earth Science; University of Southampton; Southampton Oceanography
Centre; European Way; Southampton; SO14 3ZH; UK
The Bay of Biscay has been, over a considerable period of time, a somewhat neglected
study area, in terms of the scientific cruises undertaken in the 91 ht and early 20 ht centuries.
Only a limited number of investigations can be cited for this time (see Chapter .)1 The
embayment is located in the north Atlantic, western Europe (Figure ;)1 as such, it plays an
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Figure .1 The position of the Basque Country, within the context of the Bay of Biscay. The most important
features are shown, such as the extensive continental shelf in France, and the Cap Breton canyon.
iv AJROB DNA SNILLOC
important role in influencing regional processes, taking place at mid-latitudes (see Chapters 4,
7 and .)8
The Basque Country is located in the innermost part of this bay, as a 'hinge' between
the west/east-oriented rocky coast of Spain (notably the Spanish Basque Country, together
with the adjacent regions of Cantabria and Asturias) and the north/south-oriented rocky
(French Basque Country) and sandy coast (Aquitaine) of France (Figure ,)1 in an area that the
Pyrenees reach the Atlantic Ocean. The Basque region in Spain has more than 25 coastal
municipalities (Figure 2), 2 large commercial ports (Bilbao and Pasaia), 41 fishing ports and 5
marinas. Fishing activities represent %1 of the Basque GNP, with 8,000 direct jobs at sea, and
over 27,000 in coastal villages. Moreover, recently, new industries, linked to marine activities
(tourism, nautical sports, etc.), have increased their presence in the area. This European region
has been involved in marine activities for providing to it's history fishermen, sailors and
discoverers; likewise, it has created one of the world's earliest societies for the study of the
oceanography (the Oceanography Society of Gipuzkoa, see Chapter ,)1 which can be
compared to that of Monaco, in France, as an on-going activity. In comparison, the French
Basque Country is a less industrialised area, with such activity being concentrated around the
Bayonne area and its port and estuary (the Adour). Throughout this book, information
available from the French Basque Country is presented (i.e. Chapters ,3 ,7 ,8 9, ,61 etc., most
of them as comparison); however, the main source of the information is that from the Spanish
Basque Country.
Despite this interest, only minimal attention has been paid to the study of the
oceanographical features in this area (Figure .)3 Following the creation of the University of
the Basque Country and the Oceanography Research Service (later AZTI) (see Chapter ,)1 the
past 30 years have been very 'fruitful' in terms of the enhancement of scientific knowledge of
this Atlantic region. Following the institutionalisation of the 'Iberian Symposium on Marine
Benthic Studies' (San Sebasti~in, 1979), and the 'International Colloquium on the
Oceanography of the Bay of Biscay' (Oviedo, 1988) (Chapter ,)1 researchers have new
forums to present their investigations of this particular area. Moreover, recently, several
international studies and/or monographies have been focussed upon the Bay of Biscay, such
as the 'France-JGOFS/Ecomarge' (Monaco et aL, 1999), 'Seas at the Millennium: an
environmental evaluation' (Diez et al., 2000), 'OSPAR Quality Status Report 2000, Region
30
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27 CANTAB AN SEA
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erugiF 2. Locations along the Basque coast, cited throughout the text, together with the position of the estuaries.
The limits of the two Basque provinces are shown. Key: 1-Muskiz; 2-Portugalete; 3-Getxo; 4-Sopela; 5-Plentzia;
6-Gorliz; 7-Armintza; 8-Lemoiz; 9-Bakio; 10-Bermeo; l l-Mundaka; 12-Gemika; 13-Elantxobe; 14-Ea; -51
Lekeitio; 16-Ondarroa; 17-Mutriku; 18-Deba; 19-Zumaia; 20-Getaria; 21-Zarautz; 22-Orio; 23-Pasaia-24-
Hondarribia; 25-Irrn; 26-Hendaia; 27-Lucero point; 28-Abra of Bilbao; 29-Galea point; 30-Matxitxako cape; 31-
San Ant6n cape; 32- Mendizorrotz; 33-Momp,'is; 34-Jaizkibel cliffs, 35-Higer cape.
PREFACE vii
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lacitpo )mhtirogla dna tnecajda land sessam colour (true egami - bands ,2 5 d)n6a of eht yaB of yacsiB 12( ts
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of revir semulp AAON( ,egami dessecorp yb .Y aganimragaS .))ITZA(
IV. Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast' (Ospar, 2000), and 'Omex I' (Wollast et al., 2001).
Hence, the aim of this book is to establish the present level of understanding of the
Basque coastal research, including the estuaries and the adjacent continental shelf; it
summarises the majority of the publications, papers, unpublished reports and data, obtained
throughout years, by the Basque scientists working in different institutions.
The authors contributing to this book include most of the individuals involved
presently in regional research activities, including all of the scientific areas. Hence, this book
has been divided into seven Sections: (i) an Introductory Section, including the history of
scientific research undertaken in the Basque Country (Chapter )1 and the evolution of human
activities in this region (Chapter 2); (ii) a Section presenting the geography and hydrography,
iiiv AJROB DNA SNILLOC
including the geology (Chapter ,)3 climate (Chapter 4), land-ocean interactions (Chapter ,)5
marine dynamics (Chapter 6), and hydrography (Chapter ;)7 (iii) the third Section relates to
chemical oceanography, including the study of water masses (Chapter ,)8 together with
chemical and microbiological pollution (Chapters 9 and 10); (iv) the fourth Section discusses
the sedimentological characteristics of the region (Chapter )11 and its pollution (Chapter 12);
(v) the fifth Section focused on several biomonitoring programmes (Chapters 31 and 14); (vi)
the sixth Section is centered upon the ecology of the marine communities, including
phytoplankton (Chapter 15), zooplankton (Chapter 16), iehthyoplankton (Chapter 17),
benthos (Chapter 18), fishes (Chapter 19), seabirds (Chapter 20), conservation of the
ecosystems (Chapter 21), and the recovery of polluted areas (Chapter 22); (vii) finally, the last
Section is devoted to the assessment of human impacts within the area (Chapter 23) and
conclusions relating to the research undertaken in the Basque Country (Chapter 24).
Throughout the book, the Basque Country has been considered as a regional area (see
Figure ,)1 coveting the coasts of the French Basque Country and the Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia
provinces, both in the Spanish Basque Country. The main geographical features mentioned
within the text (capitals, villages, estuaries, mountains, capes, continental shelf, etc.), are
shown in Figures 1 and .2 Taking into account the specificity of the Basque language,
internationally-known names have been used throughout for the most important locations .e~i(
Bilbao, San SebastiAn); Basque names are used for those less-known locations (i.e.
Txatxarramendi, Ogeia). Many of the studies described have focused upon the estuaries,
creating a problem in the denomination of these particular sites. Authors have used, and
published, for example, different names for the same estuary (e.g. Mundaka, Oka, Gernika or
Urdaibai estuary). Here, the criterion has been adopted to utilise the name of the fiver
discharging into the estuary (e.g. hence, Oka estuary).
Lastly, but by no means least, the objectives of this book are :ot disseminate the
scientific knowledge on this region; to incorporate the various research teams in a closer
interrelationships within the European marine research framework; and to propose a Research
Agenda for the Basque coast, for the next 10-15 years.
References
Diez, ,.I A. Secilla, A. Santolaria and J.M. Gorostiaga, 2000. The North coast of Spain. Seas
at the Millennium: an environmental evaluation, :I 135-150.
Monaco, A., P.E. Biscaye and .P Laborde, 1999. France-JGOFS/ECOMARGE: particle fluxes
and ecosystem response on the Northeast Atlantic continental margin: The ECOFER
(l~cosystrme du canyon du Cap Ferret) experiment. Deep-Sea Research Part ,11 46(10):
1965-2344.
OSPAR, 2000. OSPAR Quality Status Report 2000, Region IK Bay of Biscay and lberian
Coast. OSPAR Commission, London, 431 pp.
Wollast, R., .L Chou, .B Avril and .J Huthnance, 2001. Ocean margin exchange in the
northern Gulf of Biscay: OMEX .I Deep-Sea Research Part II, 48(14-15): 2971-3293.
stnemegdelwonkcA
This book has been written by many authors, based upon their investigations and a
large amount of data obtained from different studies, research projects, non-published reports
(grey literature), etc. The authors and Editors acknowledge gratefully the many Institutions
that have been provided data, or funding, for these studies, or participated in some of the
projects:
Aguas del Afiarbe, Spain
AZTI Foundation, Spain
Basque Government, Spain
o Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
o Department of the Territory Ordination and Environment
o Department of Health
o Department of Industry
o Department of Transport and Public Works
o Department of Education, Universities and Research
Bilbao-Bizkaia Water Authority, Spain
CEDEX (Centro de Experimentaci6n en Obras Pfblicas), Spain
CNRS-INSU (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique- Institut National des
Sciences de l'Univers), France
Confederaci6n Hidrogr~fica del Norte, Spain
Diputaci6n Foral de Bizkaia, Spain
o Department of Territorial Studies
o Library
Diputaci6n Foral de Gipuzkoa, Spain
o Department of Public Works
European Commission
o Research Directorate General (DGXII)
o Fisheries Research Directorate (DG XIV)
o DGIII Industry (ESPRIT Programme)
o Interreg IIC
IFREMER, France
The National Institute of Meteorology, in San Sebasti~, Spain
NOAA-PFEG, USA
Oceanographic Society of Gipuzkoa, Spain
Port Authority of Bilbao, Spain
Port Authority of Bordeaux, France
Spanish Government
o Ministry of Education and Science
o Ministry of Science and Technology
x STNEMEGDELWONKCA
o Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Spanish Institute of Oceanography (lEO)
University of the Basque Country, Spain
University of Bordeaux, France
Moreover, the text has been improved considerably, following the kind revision of
each of the Chapters by a panel of intemationally-recognised experts on each of the subject
areas. Thus, the Editors would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by the scientists in
the following listing:
Alcaraz, M., Institut ed Ciencies del Mar, CSIC, Barcelona, Spain (Chapter :61 Zooplankton
communities).
Attrill, M.J., University of Plymouth, UK (Chapter :22 Recovery of benthic communities, in
polluted systems).
Bao, R., Universidade da Corufia, Spain (Chapter :2 Human activities along the Basque coast
during the last centuries).
Beliaeff, ,.B Ifremer, Nantes, France (Chapter :31 Biomonitoring of heavy metals and organic
compounds, at the tissue-organism level).
Catherine, M., Ifremer, Nantes, France (Chapter :01 Microbiological quality).
Cendrero, ,.O Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Santander, Spain (Chapter :1 Marine
research in the Basque Country: an historical review and Chapter :91 Fisheries,
exploited species and estuaries).
Chiffoleau, J.F., Ifremer, France (Chapter :9 Contaminants in the waters).
Claisse, D., Ifremer, Nantes, France (Chapter :31 Biomonitoring of heavy metals and organic
compounds, at the tissue-organism level).
Collins, M., SOES, SOC, UK (Chapter :1 Marine research in the Basque Country: an
historical review).
Croudace, ,.I SOES, SOC, UK (Chapter "2 Human activities along the Basque coast during
the last centuries).
Davison, M., Environmental Agency, UK (Chapter :22 Recovery of benthic communities, in
polluted systems).
D'Elbde, ,.J LAPHY, Biarritz, France (Chapter :12 Biodiversity and conservation).
Dias, A., Unidade ed Ciencias e Tecnologias dos Recursos Aquaticos, University of the
Algarve, Portugal (Chapter :11 Main sedimentological characteristics).
Diaz-Pab6n, ,.R Subdirectora General de Programas Especiales e Investigaci6n
Climatol6gica, Spain (Chapter :4 Climate and meteorology).
Essink, K., RIKZ, The Netherlands (Chapter :81 Benthic communities).
Evans, ,.G SOES, COS United Kingdom (Chapter "3 Geology, geomorphology and
sediments; and Chapter :11 Main sedimentological characteristics).
STNEMEGDELWONKCA ix
,zedni~meF E., University of Vigo, Spain (Chapter :51 Bacterioplankton and phytoplankton
communities).
Fraga, .F Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, CSIC, Vigo; Spain (Chapter "7 Hydrography
and Chapter :8 Main characteristics of the water masses).
Harris, R., Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK (Chapter :61 Zooplankton communities).
Hylland, K., Norwegian Institute for Water Research; NIVA; Oslo; Norway (Chapter :41
Biomonitoring of environmental pollution by metals and organic compounds in the
Basque Coast, using cellular and molecular biomarkers).
Joint, I., Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK (Chapter :51 Bacterioplankton and phytoplankton
communities).
Kowalewska, ,.G Department of Marine Pollution, Oceanological Institute, Sopot, Poland
(Chapter :21 Contaminants in sediments).
Lrautr, J.-P., IFREMER, France (Chapter :91 Fisheries, exploited species and estuaries).
MacManus, J., School of Oceanography and Geosciences, University of .tS Andrews, UK
(Chapter :5 Interactions between land and ocean).
Milliman, J.D., School of Marine Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, USA
(Chapter :5 Interactions between land and ocean).
Nichols, J., retired from CEFAS, UK (Chapter :71 Ichthyoplankton).
Palomera, I., Instimt ed Ciencies del Mar, CSIC; Barcelona, Spain (Chapter :71
Ichthyoplankton).
Parra, ,.S IEO, La Corufia, Spain (Chapter :81 Benthic communities).
Prrez, Fiz .F Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, CSIC, Vigo; Spain (Chapter :7
Hydrography).
Pommepuy, M., Ifremer, Brest, France (Chapter :01 Microbiological quality).
Regoli, F., Instituto di Biologia e Genetica, Universit~ degli Studi di Ancona, Italy (Chapter
:41 Biomonitoring of environmental pollution by metals and organic compounds in the
Basque Coast, using cellular and molecular biomarkers).
Rios, A.F., Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, CSIC, Vigo; Spain (Chapter :8 Main
characteristics of the water masses).
Ruiz Mufioz, ,.F Universidad de Huelva, Departamento ed acimi~nidoeG y Paleontologia;
Spain (Chapter :3 Geology, geomorphology and sediments).
S~nchez-Arcilla, A., Laboratorio de Ingenieria Maritima, UPC, Barcelona, Spain (Chapter :6
Marine dynamics).
Soulier, ,.L Musre ed la Mer, Biarritz, France (Chapter :12 Biodiversity and conservation).
Stive, M.J.F. Section of Hydraulic Engineering Chair: Coastal Engineering Faculty of Civil
Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
(Chapter :6 Marine dynamics).
Tasker, M., Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Scotland (Chapter :02 Seabirds).
iix STNEMEGDELWONKCA
Telleria, J.L., Departamento de Biologia Animal I (Zoologia), Facultad de Biologia,
Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain (Chapter :02 Seabirds).
Wilson, J., Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland (Chapter :21
Contaminants in sediments).
Zorita, E., Institute for Coastal Research, GKSS Research Center, Geesthacht, Germany
(Chapter 4: Climate and meteorology).
Our most sincere thanks are extended also to the sampling and laboratory teams of
AZTI (Pasaia and Sukarrieta); the many grant holders and scientists of AZTI, who have
contributed in the collation of data, Figures or Tables. Similarly, the support staff from AZTI
(particularly, Alaitz Lizaso) and SOES (SOC) (Emma Bennett and Kate Davis) for
typing/correcting several of the Chapters and re&awing some of the Figures. We are also
grateful to the following colleagues of the UPV/EHU: J.A. Gonz~ilez Oreja, .J Urkiaga
Alberdi, A. Santolaria, A. Secilla, M. Bustamante and .J Tajadura, who helped in many ways
in the completion of the Chapter 22; and M. Balerdi, .I Zuberogoitia, J. Zuberogoitia, A.
Bermejo and R. Saiz, who helped in the completion of the Chapter 20.
Finally, we are grateful to various publishers and Institutions, for permission to use
their Figures and Plates.
Pasaia, Spain legn.h, Borja and Michael Collins
July, 2003
ACRONYMS
AABW: Antarctic Bottom Water CUFES: Continuous Underwater Fish Eggs
AC: After Christ Sampler
ACE: Advisory Committee on Ecosystems (ICES) CZCS: Coastal Zone Color Scanner
ACFM: Advisory Committee of Fisheries :++nM-BAD Diaminobenzidine-manganese
Management (ICES) DBT: Dibutyltin
AchE: Acetylcholinesterase DDT: Dichloro Difenil Trichloroetane
AES: Analytical and Environmental Services (UK) DEPM: Daily Egg Production Method
AET: Apparent Effect Threshold DIN: Dissolved inorganic nitrogen
AGLIA: Association du Grand Littoral Atlantique DOC: Dissolved Organic Carbon
(France) DSOW: Denmark Strait Overflow Water
AMBI: AZTI's Marine Biotic Index DW: Dry Weight
ANOVA: Analysis of Variance DWW: Domestic waste water
AOX: AcyI-CoA oxidase EA: East Atlantic Index
AVHRR: Advanced Very High Resolution EAC: Ecotoxicological Assessment Criteria
Radiometer EC: European Commission
AZTI: Arrantzatzuarekiko Zientzi eta Teknoloji ECS: European Cetacean Society
lkerketa (Spain) EEA: European Environmental Agency
BC: Biotic Coefficient EEC: European Economic Community
BCR: Bureau of Certification and Reference EF: Enrichment Factor
BI: Biotic Index EHU: Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (Spain)
BOE: Boletin Oficial del Estado (Spain) EHWS: Extreme High Water Spring tide
BOPV: Boletin Oficial del Pais Vasco (Spain) ELH: Early Life History
BP: Before present ELISA: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
BPH: Benzo(a)pyrene hydroxilase ELWS: Extreme Low Water Spring tide
BSD: Black Silver Deposit ENACW: Eastern-North Atlantic Central Water
CAO: Dissolved oxygen corrected by the organic ENSO: El Nifio-Southern Oscillation
carbon to carbonate oxidation and by alkalinity EOC: Elemental Organic Carbon
changes EOF: Empirical Orthogonal Function
CCA: Canonical Correspondence Analysis EP: Equilibrium Partitioning
CEDEX: Centro de Experimentaci6n en Obras EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
Prblicas (Spain) ER-L: Effect Range-Low
CEFAS: Centre for Environment, Fisheries and ER-M: Effect Range-Median
Aquaculture Science (UK) ESPRIT: Information Technologies Programme of
CITES: Convention on International Trade in the EU
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora EU: European Union
C/N: Carbon/Nitrogen ratio EVE: Ente Vasco de la Energia (Spain)
CNRS: Centre National de la Recherche F A: Factor Analysis
Scientifique (France) FAIR: Fisheries and Agriculture Research
COADS : Comprehensive Ocean Atmosphere Data Programme of the EU
Set FAR: Fisheries and Agriculture Research
CPR: Continuous Plankton Recorder Programme of the EU
CREMA: Centre de Recherche sur les sem~ffsysocE FAZ: Foraminiferal assemblage zones
Marines et Aquacoles (France) FC: Faecal Coliforms
CSIC: Centro Superior de Investigaciones FCI: Flesh Condition Index
Cientificas (Spain) FE: Faecal Enterococci
CTD: Conductivity, Temperature, Depth FEM: Finite element method
xiv ACRONYMS
GESAMP: Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific LSC: Lysosomal structural changes
Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (UN) LSW: Labrador Sea Water
GKSS: German Institute for Coastal Research MAE: Mean absolute error
GLOBEC: Global Change and Ecosystems MAST: Marine Science and Technology
GNP: Gross national product MCN: Multiple Opening Closing Net
GPS: Global Positioning System MDR: Mean Diverticular Radius
GRT: Gross Registered Tonnage MERIS: Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer
HCB: Hexachlorobencene Instrument
HCH: Hexahlorociclohexane MET: Mean Epithelial Thickness
HD: High river Discharge MEU: Marine Environmental Units
HP: Horse Power MLR: Mean Luminal Radius
HPLC: High Performance Liquid Chromatography MNHN: Mus6e National d'Histoire Naturelle
ICCAT: International Council for the Conservation (France)
of Atlantic Tuna MODIS: Moderate Resolution Imaging
ICES: International Council for the Exploration of Spectroradiometer
the Sea MOPT: Ministerio de Obras P6blicas y Transportes
ICONA: lnstituto para la Conservaci6n de la (Spain)
Naturaleza (Spain) MORENA: Multidisciplinary Oceanographic
lEO: Instituto Espafiol de Oceanografia (Spain) Research in the Eastern Boundary of the North
IFREMER: Institut Frangais pour l'Exploitation de Atlantic
la Mer (France) MT: Metallothioneins
IGBP: International Geosphere-Biosphere MW: Mediterranean Water
Programme NACW: North Atlantic Central Water
IGME: Instituto Geol6gico y Minero Espafiol NADW: North Atlantic Deep Water
(Spain) NAFO: North Atlantic Fisheries Organisation
IGY: International Geophysical Year NAO: North Atlantic Oscillation Index
IIQ : Integrative Index of Quality NCAR: National Center for Atmospheric Research
IMA : Institut des Milieux Aquatiques (France) )ASU(
IMEDEA: Instituto MediterrAneo de Estudios :CCN rebmuN of seinoloC detnuoC
Avanzados (Spain) :PECN National sretneC rof latnemnorivnE
INSUB: Sociedad Cultural de Investigaciones Prediction (USA)
Submarinas (Spain) NCP: Net Community Production
IOC: lntergovernmental Oceanographic NEAM: North-East Atlantic Mackerel
Commission NIVA: Norwegian Institute for Water Research
IPCC: International Program on Climate Change NHW: Normal High Water tide
IR: Ingestion ratio NLW: Normal Low Water tide
ISOW: Iceland-Scotland Overflow Water NMFS: National Marine Fisheries Service (USA)
ISTPM: Institut Scientifique pour les Travaux de la NO: Dissolved oxygen corrected by the organic
P~che Maritime nitrogen to nitrate oxidation
IUCN: International Union for Conservation of NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmosphere
Nature and Natural Resources Administration (USA)
IUPAC: International Union of Pure and Applied NPA: Natural Protected Areas
Chemistry NR: Neutral Red
IWW: Industrial waste water NS&T: National Status and Trends
JGOFS: Joint Global Ocean Flux Study NSW: Norwegian Sea Water
JNCC: Joint Nature Conservation Committee (UK) NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Units
JORF: Journal Officiel de la R6publique Frangaise OCP: Organo Chlorine Pesticides
K/T: Cretaceous-Tertiary Limit OM: Organic Matter
LCHF: Laboratoire Central d'Hydraulique de OMEX: Ocean Margin Exchange
France OR0: Oil Red 0
LHPR: Longhurst-Hardy Plankton Recorder OSPAR: Oslo-Paris Convention
LMS: Lysosomal membrane stability PAH: Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons
LOI: Loss of Ignition PAR: Photosynthetically Active Radiation
LPI: Load Pollution Index PCA: Principal Component Analysis
LQM: Littoral water quality monitoring and control PCB: Polychlorinated Biphenyls
network PEL: Probable Effect Level