Ocean circulation and water masses distribution in seamounts in the path of the Mediterranean outflow waters

The objective of the physical oceanography contribution during the cruise was to determine if the vertical water mass distribution and specifically the Mediterranean Outflow Waters (MOW) affects the vertical distribution of cold-water corals on the slopes of the seamounts. Additionally, the results will allow us to understand if the seamounts in the path of the Mediterranean Waters into the north Atlantic may behave as nursery areas to organisms characteristic of the Mediterranean Sea. Specifically, we will describe the hydrographic conditions and the structure of the impinging oceanic flow over the Formigas, Ormonde and Seco de los Olivos seamount, and in the Gazul mud volcano.