MH7-5 - Mediterranean fronts in reduced salinity water column

Classification des habitats EUNIS 2022

Descriptif de l'habitat

A Mediterranean water column which is unmixed or only partially mixed because the depth of the water body is greater than the depth of mixing, and with short residence time, defined as changing diurnally. Salinity is reduced relative to the adjacent fully marine seawater. This habitat type is usually found in deeper coastal water situations and is the result of river inflow. Note that some discretion should be used in the interpretation of “adjacent”t. Horizontal gradients give rise to fronts, which are separated at level 4 by the degree of persistence of the stratification.

Bibliography

European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity 2022. EUNIS marine habitat classification 2022 including crosswalks. Table Excel. (Source)