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| Site name: | Mallorca 2 | Country: | Spain | GIG Region: | Med |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIG Type: | CW | Site code: | MA-15/CW-M3 | Altitude(m a.s.l.): | ---- |
| Area (km²): | ---- | Mean depth (m): | ---- | Mixing regime: | ---- |
| Alkalinity (m eq/l): | ---- | Retention time (yr): | ---- | Chlorophyll a (µg/l): | ---- |
| Total phosphorus (µg/l): | ---- | Eutrophication status: | 2 - Medium | Hydromorphological status: | ? |
Description
The sampling site Mallorca 2 is located in a coastal water body North East Palma Bay (Mallorca, Spain, Western Mediterranean). Most of the coastline of this site is urbanised, hosting a human population density of almost 30 000 permanent residents plus 43000 tourists during summer. In addition, the site is nearby the city of Palma de Mallorca (with 385 000 permanent resident habitants) and close to the main harbour of the island. Freshwater inputs are very low, only torrents discharging during spring and fall.
The water is clear (average ± SE extinction coefficient=0.06±0.02m-1), and the sea bottom remains within the euphotic layer. The water can be considered oligotrophic, although symptoms of eutrophication are evident. In this site, nutrient and organic inputs to the sea rank amongst the highest of the Balearic Islands, as a consequence of seawage discharges from land and effluents from water treatment plants of Palma and Llucmajor, diffusive water exchange between the aquifer and the sea and the relative long water residence time, water exchange largely dependent on wind stress.
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