Aplication of remote senging techniques to the study of internal waves in the strait of Gibraltar

The generation and propagation of internal waves is one of the most interesting
oceanographic processes in the Strait of Gibraltar. In this paper, radar (ASAR)
and ocean colour images (MODIS y MERIS) have been used in order to characterize
this phenomenon. The processing of instantaneous colour images has allowed the
analysis of the relationship between physical processes of the internal waves and
the biological implications. During internal waves generation, MODIS and MERIS
images show a chlorophyll maximum structures in the coastal areas of Camarinal
Sill. When these waves are located in Alborán Sea, the colour images illustrate the
presence of chlorophyll maximum associated to the waves front. The results seem
to indicate that a suction of coastal water take place during the internal waves generation
and this rich chlorophyll water entry in Alborán Sea travelling joint to the
internal waves.