New and regenerated production in the Almeria-Oran front area, eastern Alboran Sea

Uptake and regeneration of nitrogen in the Almeria-Oran frontal zone (SW Mediterranean) and adjacent (Atlantic and Mediterranean) systems were studied during the Almofront I cruise (JGOFS-France). The frontal zone was characterized by an upsloping of nitracline from about 50m in the adjacent systems to 25–30m within. Along with nitrate, ammonium, chlorophyll a and particulate organic nitrogen also were at higher concentrations in the frontal zone than in the adjacent waters.