Chapter 2 introduces the different dimensions of this maritime space from a
geopolitical and transnational perspective. Legal aspects of geography and the
different mentalities of the coastal states are considered in a united context of the
North and South worlds, this merged geopolitical thought in the region should be
necessary for the correct management of the marine resources and maritime
activities.
Chapter 3 offers a general vision of the climatic regional variability in relation to
atmospheric processes, which results from the numerous climatic mechanisms
affecting the region in the context of north to south and west to east connections,
both the large atmospheric circulation in the region and the control by the orography
which produces the behavior of the Alboran Sea as a channel for the atmospheric
marine boundary layer generating relevant mesoscale disturbances. The oceanographic dynamics is considered in Chap. 4, the Atlantic–Mediterranean waters
exchange through the Strait of Gibraltar is the main factor that determines their
circulation. The general circulation exhibits a dynamics energy alternating cyclonic
and anticyclonic circulation cells. This pattern is forced by tidal dynamics and
climatic conditions. Authors demonstrate that these changes affect the temperature
and salinity trends of the water masses in the Alboran Sea, both factors to take into
account for their impact on climate change at the regional scale and for the management of living resources.
Chapter 5 is devoted to the geodynamic evolution of this region, the dynamics of
the Eurasian, African, and Iberian plates from the Upper Jurassic and the opening
and closing of related oceanic basins. In this scenario, the westward drift of the
Alboran Domain determined the formation of the Betic–Rif–Alboran basin system
from the upper Oligocene. The region has been the area of connection between the
western (Atlantic) and eastern oceans (initially Tethys and later western Mediterranean Sea) of Iberia. Chapter 6 analyses the seafloor in relation to processes,
especially active tectonics, oceanographic and sedimentary dynamics, and their
role as geohazards. Tectonic activity is focused between Adra-Cabo de Gata in
southern Iberia and Al-Hoceima bay in northern Africa. Two main sedimentary
environments are differentiated: shallow and deep margins. The deep environment is
characterized by a wide contouritic depositional system and their interaction with
turbiditic processes, canyons, landslides, and seamounts.
Finally, Chap. 7 considers the biogeochemical features and dynamics of the
Alboran Sea as well as its effects on the marine planktonic community, focusing
on the coupling between hydrodynamics, biogeochemistry, and phytoplankton. The
Atlantic jet and the upwelling of Mediterranean waters richer in nutrients drive the
system, stimulates the growth of phytoplanktons, and enhances the primary production, which makes the Alboran Sea the most productive basin of the
Mediterranean Sea.
4
J. C. Báez et al.
geopolitical and transnational perspective. Legal aspects of geography and the
different mentalities of the coastal states are considered in a united context of the
North and South worlds, this merged geopolitical thought in the region should be
necessary for the correct management of the marine resources and maritime
activities.
Chapter 3 offers a general vision of the climatic regional variability in relation to
atmospheric processes, which results from the numerous climatic mechanisms
affecting the region in the context of north to south and west to east connections,
both the large atmospheric circulation in the region and the control by the orography
which produces the behavior of the Alboran Sea as a channel for the atmospheric
marine boundary layer generating relevant mesoscale disturbances. The oceanographic dynamics is considered in Chap. 4, the Atlantic–Mediterranean waters
exchange through the Strait of Gibraltar is the main factor that determines their
circulation. The general circulation exhibits a dynamics energy alternating cyclonic
and anticyclonic circulation cells. This pattern is forced by tidal dynamics and
climatic conditions. Authors demonstrate that these changes affect the temperature
and salinity trends of the water masses in the Alboran Sea, both factors to take into
account for their impact on climate change at the regional scale and for the management of living resources.
Chapter 5 is devoted to the geodynamic evolution of this region, the dynamics of
the Eurasian, African, and Iberian plates from the Upper Jurassic and the opening
and closing of related oceanic basins. In this scenario, the westward drift of the
Alboran Domain determined the formation of the Betic–Rif–Alboran basin system
from the upper Oligocene. The region has been the area of connection between the
western (Atlantic) and eastern oceans (initially Tethys and later western Mediterranean Sea) of Iberia. Chapter 6 analyses the seafloor in relation to processes,
especially active tectonics, oceanographic and sedimentary dynamics, and their
role as geohazards. Tectonic activity is focused between Adra-Cabo de Gata in
southern Iberia and Al-Hoceima bay in northern Africa. Two main sedimentary
environments are differentiated: shallow and deep margins. The deep environment is
characterized by a wide contouritic depositional system and their interaction with
turbiditic processes, canyons, landslides, and seamounts.
Finally, Chap. 7 considers the biogeochemical features and dynamics of the
Alboran Sea as well as its effects on the marine planktonic community, focusing
on the coupling between hydrodynamics, biogeochemistry, and phytoplankton. The
Atlantic jet and the upwelling of Mediterranean waters richer in nutrients drive the
system, stimulates the growth of phytoplanktons, and enhances the primary production, which makes the Alboran Sea the most productive basin of the
Mediterranean Sea.
4
J. C. Báez et al.