In the westernmost marine portion of the Mediterranean Sea we find a sea that is home to great biodiversity. Its about alboran sea. The limits of this sea are marked to the north by the Andalusian coast, to the south by the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, to the west by the Strait of Gibraltar and to the east by the imaginary line that runs from Cabo de Gata to Cabo Fegalo in Algeria. It is a small sea but it is of great importance.
Therefore, we are going to dedicate this article to tell you all the characteristics, important geology of the Alboran Sea.
Key features
It is a type of sea whose maximum length is about 350 kilometers. Its width is more or less about 180 kilometers, although it is drastically reduced as we get to the west where the so-called Arco de Gibraltar is located. This means that the total average depth that can be found in this sea is approximately 1.000 meters. The deepest point from 2.200 meters, being able to host a large number of species of marine flora and fauna.
If we make a count of all the coastal areas that damage the Alboran Sea we find Spain, the United Kingdom, Morocco and Algeria. In this sea we find different currents in this part of the Mediterranean and they are particularly strong due to the encounter with bodies of water that have different temperatures. The place where these currents converge is in the areas coming from the Atlantic and the Straits. We know that the surface currents of the Alboran Sea they are cold and have an eastward flow direction. On the other hand, if we analyze the underwater currents, we see that they flow to the opposite side. This causes the flow of underwater water to move the warmer and saltier Mediterranean waters towards the Atlantic.
It is approximately 180 kilometers wide in a north-south direction, while the longitude in an east-west direction from about 350 kilometers.
Biodiversity of the Alboran Sea
Thanks to the convergence that exists between various ocean currents in the Mediterranean Atlantic, the Alboran Sea has a high diversity of species and ecosystems. These ecosystems and species of living things are linked to the unique oceanographic conditions that occur in this region. Thanks to a spectacular geomorphological diversity of the seabeds, You can also see volcanic formations and underwater canyons.
The cause of the existence of great biodiversity in this sea is that it is an obligatory passage for all animals that have a migratory way of life. From here we find a large number of species of cetaceans, birds, sea turtles and other planktonic species. Many of these species are juvenile or very small in size and are carried by currents as part of the life cycle. Thanks to the existence of large amounts of plankton in the surface part of the streams, we have a good supply of nutrients necessary as the basis of the trophic network.
However, over the years and the evolution of human economic activity, this ecological wealth is threatened by humans. And there is a significant volume of maritime traffic both from container ships, oil ferries, etc. That transits the Alboran Sea frequently. This is because they have connecting routes between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It has been estimated that annually There are more than 800.000 Han ships that transit this region each year.
In terms of fauna, this sea is the habitat of the largest population of nosed dolphins in the western Mediterranean. In addition, there are more or more common populations and large numbers of sea turtles. This sea is not only rich in biodiversity, but also an important source of sardine and swordfish fisheries. Therefore, it is overexploited by humans.
Alboran Sea Islands
Although this sea is not very long, there are some well-known and very important islands. We will analyze one by one which are the main islands and their characteristics.
Alboran
This island gets its name due to the sea where it is located. It is a smaller islet of volcanic origin and is located at an intermediate distance between Africa and Europe. It is the easternmost part of the sea. Although it is small, it has historically been an important strategic point in the military and nautical fields.
Today it is completely uninhabited and its natural environment is protected by various international legal figures. Its access is completely prohibited since it is home to endemic species of flora and fauna.
Other islands
The Alboran Sea is home to other smaller islands and they are less well known. The entire North African coast is dotted with small islets and archipelagos. Some of these islands are under Spanish territory given the proximity it has to the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla. Let's analyze which are these small islands:
- Rock of Velez de la Gomera: it is an island of only 190 square meters, which is why it is considered an islet. After the earthquake that occurred in 1930, they attached it to the coast with a spit of sand. It is only inhabited by a small garrison of the Spanish Army.
- Rock of Alhucemas: it is even smaller than the previous island with only 150 square meters. It is protected by cliffs and also houses a military fortification.
- Chafarinas Islands: It has an area of 500 square meters and is a small archipelago. It is located east of Melilla and is very close to the marine border between Morocco and Algeria. Its only inhabitants are military and scientific inside a biological station.
Ecological importance
As we have mentioned before, the Alboran Sea is of great ecological importance since it is home to a large amount of biodiversity. However, it faces different problems such as indiscriminate fishing, uncontrolled polluting discharges and mass tourism. In addition, in recent years this sea has become an illegal immigration route from Africa to Spain, which has led to numerous shipwrecks and pollution of the sea floors.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the Alboran Sea and its characteristics.